What
audacity do I have to call on sports business minds to invest in a country
designated as high risk – corruptions, unstable polity, incessant militancy and
terrorists attacks? Some of which is
also found in the business of football in Nigeria.
But as a sport marketing professional, I want
to turn your attention away from the wrong things to show you some indicators
of high profitability and why I think football business in Nigeria is where you
should invest now.
MINT Country: Nigeria is among the MINT countries that
were forecasted to be one of the world’s greatest economies in the next 10 years or so; because
of its largely developing human, material and financial capacity gains, which I
think compensate for the some what restrictive climate
Infrastructure
is developing rapidly in the country. There’s easy communication with Nigeria
alone housing over 90 million GSM subscribers. Transportation is smooth,
especially air. Road could be a bit hectic in densely populated cities like
Lagos, but that’s understandable. Security can be better, but relatively safe
in most cities and sports arenas in the country.
Transformation Agenda: The government transformation agenda
is more visible in the area of football sport in Nigeria. National Sports
Commission (NSC), Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and indeed, League
Management Company (LMC) are neck bent on the re-engineering of football business
in Nigeria. There’s a lot of human and
infrastructural development projects currently going on. Structures and
policies are being put in place to ensure sustainable and rapid growth,
especially in the next few years.
The result
is already showing, Nigeria is once again dominating the African football
terrain and spearheading African challenge in world football. Nigeria is the
current African champions, World under 17 champions in the men category and
current African women under 17 champions…
Football Demand: Nigeria has over 160 million people
with an unquenchable thirst and love for football. There’s no gainsay of the
Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for the right investment made in the business of
football in this country.
Although,
you may say the stadiums are still empty, but the sports Radio and TV programs
are however bombarded daily with calls from football fans; social media is full
of enthusiastic hands and minds bantering with football matters. The few
Satellite TV providers; viewing centers, China’s adulterated memorabilia
merchants are smiling to the bank. This is partly due to the strong interest in
the English Premier league and the Spanish Laliga.
However,
Research has shown that dual interest could be developed among football
consumers in Nigeria. Arenas like Enyimba International Stadium Aba, Sanni
Abacha Stadium Kano, get filled to capacity anytime the clubs, Enyimba FC and
Kano Pillars are doing well in Nigeria Premier League or CAF-Champions League.
Large Deposit Of Talents: Nigeria has produced the likes of
Nwankwo Kanu, Jay-jay Okocha, Victor Ikpeba, Emmanuel Amunike, Sunday Oliseh,
Rashidi Yekini, Stephen Keshi… and more recently, Mikel Obi, Vincent Enyeama to
mention a few. It is the home of physically strong and skillful players.
Academies
are springing up by the day; new talents like Kelechi Ihenacho (MVP in the
recently concluded FIFA Under 17 World Cup) are being discovered both in the
academies and at the club level, but not in the required and expected numbers.
Nigeria is
blessed with a large deposit of football talents yet to be discovered. This is
one area that needs more investment. Top flight clubs around the world can
establish “feeder teams” in this country by investing in clubs, academies and
other talent hunts projects.
Where You Can Invest? Opportunities are open in football education –
academies for players, institutions for football professional courses,
especially in Administration and Management. Clubs buy over from state
government ownership, building and stadium management; Data bank and research
institutes for football intelligent system, sport marketing support agencies –
sponsorship, advertising and other promotional projects.
Get
Investment Details, Order for the eBook
The Business of Football In West
Africa
Available
Now! On a Discount Sale!
Call: +234 809 977 2556 email: gh.sports1@gmail.com
Call: +234 809 977 2556 email: gh.sports1@gmail.com
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