The Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Davidson Owumi, has warned clubs in the top flight to establish and properly maintain functional websites or face sanctions, including the possible withdrawal of their licences.
Owumi issued the warning in Enugu during a workshop for NPFL Media Officers, Media Directors and Marketing Officers. The event, themed “NPFL/Afrinvest Marketing Investments, Brand Merchandising and Media,” was organised by the league in partnership with Afrinvest.
The NPFL COO said the poor availability of reliable and verifiable information from the league’s 20 clubs remains a major challenge to the development of the competition and its ability to attract valuable sponsorship deals.
According to Owumi, clubs and the league are missing out on significant commercial opportunities because many teams lack properly managed websites and maintain inconsistent or inadequate digital platforms.
He noted that the absence of reliable club data makes it difficult for potential sponsors, fans and other stakeholders to access accurate information about the teams.
Owumi disclosed that the NPFL would enforce stricter measures under its licensing regulations to address the situation.
He warned that newly promoted clubs and existing NPFL teams that fail to establish and operate functional websites could be denied licences, while clubs already licensed could face the withdrawal of their licences for non-compliance.
The league chief also called on club administrators to increase investment in their media departments, stressing that effective communication is essential to building a strong public image and commercial identity.
He urged clubs to provide adequate funding and regular training for media personnel, arguing that under-resourced media teams cannot effectively promote their clubs or maximise their commercial potential.
Owumi recommended that professionally structured club media departments should comprise specialists with clearly defined responsibilities, including a media director, photographer, graphic designer, news editor, social media manager, content creator and videographer.
He criticised the practice of assigning virtually every media responsibility to one individual, such as photography, interviewing, report writing, social media management, video production and graphics.
According to him, such an arrangement falls short of professional standards and limits the ability of NPFL clubs to effectively promote their brands, engage supporters and attract commercial partners.
