The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) solidified their commitment to enhancing the coverage and promotion of domestic football across the nation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
This significant agreement mandates that FRCN will provide live match commentary, in-depth analysis, and exclusive interviews featuring players, coaches, and league officials.
During the signing ceremony, NPFL Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, hailed the partnership as a transformative step for Nigerian football. He expressed optimism that the collaboration would not only increase the league’s visibility but also attract sponsorships and foster greater fan engagement, ultimately nurturing the growth of professional football in Nigeria.
Elegbeleye highlighted the importance of bringing the NPFL closer to millions of football enthusiasts, especially in rural areas where access to sports updates often relies on radio. He stated, “Television is what we call direct-to-home. You have to be home to watch television. But with radio, you can be anywhere—on your farmland, in your office, or on the road—and still follow live updates. You stay informed about what’s happening across the country and beyond.”
He further remarked, “Our football ecosystem needs this partnership with the Federal Radio Corporation to ensure that the entire nation can listen to our athletes on match days. This will elevate the league and invigorate Nigeria’s football industry.”
In his address, FRCN Director-General Mohammed Bulama reiterated the corporation’s commitment to rekindling football enthusiasm across Nigeria. He remarked, “The history of sports in Nigeria is marked by sports as a unifying factor and a catalyst for the overall development of Nigeria and its people. Indeed, our journey through sports development in Nigeria cannot be discussed without acknowledging Radio Nigeria and its legendary sports commentators over the decades.”
Bulama shared reminisces of how radio commentaries significantly boosted stadium attendance and newspaper sales from the 1960s to the 1980s, noting how fans would often bring radio sets to stadiums for live analysis.
He added, “Nigerians would frequently turn on their televisions just for visuals while muting them to hear the electrifying commentaries on radio. This was an era when Radio Nigeria dominated the sports commentary scene, driving national football enthusiasm to unprecedented levels.”
However, he expressed concern over the decline in football commentary on radio, which he believes has contributed to waning interest in local football as fans gravitate towards foreign leagues, such as the English Premier League.
Bulama concluded with a hopeful note, stating, “It is to address this decline and place Nigerian football back on an upward trajectory that the NPFL and the FRCN are re-establishing this strategic partnership, aimed at reviving radio football commentary.”
