Ibrahim Gusau, the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), officially launched the Interim Management Committee (IMC), which would oversee the Nigeria Professional Football League NPFL.
Former National Sports Commission (NSC) Director General Gbenga Elegbeleye was sworn in as Chairman at the inauguration ceremony, which was held at the federation’s Secretariat (Sunday Dankaro House), located inside Package B of Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja. Davidson Owumi was named Head of Operations, and Olumide Bamiduro was named Secretary.
Ayo Abdulrahaman was chosen to serve as the IMC’s deputy secretary.
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The Federal Government ruled the defunct League Management Company (LMC) illegal in September 2022 and ordered the NFF to revoke LMC’s operational license.
Gusau gave the Committee instructions to work on the League’s legal framework and commercialization when speaking to the media.
In addition to revisiting Club Licensing, he continued, the body ought to take all necessary steps to get the League back on television.
“A month ago, Federal Government declared LMC an illegal entity. We therefore had meeting where we resolved that the IMC should be inaugurated with defined Term of Reference.
“Former DG of NSC, Gbenga Elegbeleye is the Chairman of the Committee while Davidson Owumi becomes the Secretary.
“The Committee is charged with the responsibility of running the League and should make sure that the League regain its glory, work on the legal framework that will make one of the best in Africa. The League Calendar should be in consonance with the rest of the World.
While making sure that players are paid as and when due, club licensing must be verified. In order for Nigerians to watch the League Stars from the comfort of their homes, the Committee must seek to get the League back on television.
The start date of the League cannot be revealed to the public until their initial meeting, according to the chairman of the committee, Hon. Elegbeleye.
He acknowledged that although the task is big, it is not impossible.
He claimed that since everyone involved contributed to the difficulties the league is currently facing, they should all work together to find solutions.
He promised Nigerians that the League will return on television.
He advised the match officials to perform their duties fairly so that games would be decided by skill.