MEDIA
Goodnight, sports journalism legend, Ojeagbase
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
Nigeria’s sports journalism community has just lost a rare gem, Dr. Emmanuel Sunny Ojeagbase who was formerly known as Sunny Obazu-Ojeagbase. This is barely two months after his 71st birthday.
He was the founder of the longest running all-sports news publication outfit in Nigeria, the Complete Sports Communication which has rolled out more sports publications than any other organization in Nigeria.
His contribution to sports journalism is not limited to the establishment of Complete Sports Communication, he contributed hugely to human capital development. Many big names in journalism generally and sports journalism in particular at one time or the other pass through what is easily the ‘Sunny Ojeagbase School of Journalism’.
His stable has seen the development of notable sports journalists. Standing tall among these is Dr. Mumini Alao, the organisation’s Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Group Managing Director.
As a thorough-bred sports journalist, he is the longest serving editorial member of the organisation which he joined in 1988, making him the Nigerian Lionel Messi of sports journalism.
His long service in just one organisation is teaching other professionals the need for perseverance, dedication and loyalty. Alao in 1996 had the honour of being the first to win both the Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA) and Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME) sport sports writing in the same year.
Ojeagbase’s stable has also produced the likes Simon Kolawole, Tunde Sulaimon, Ehi Braimah, Ejiro Omonode, Taiye Ige and Frank Ilaboya among others.
The former soldier turned journalist, publisher and businessman as well as inspirational figure was born on 31 December 1950 in Oshogbo which is the capital of Osun State in South West Nigeria.
Being born on that day in Yoruba land and as he was very fluent in the Yoruba language even though he was ancestrally from Edo State, he could have been called Abiodun as his birth date coincided with festive period.
He became a trail blazer with his Sports Souvenir which hit the newsstands in November 1984 as Nigeria’s first all sports weekly publication that was unrelated to pools betting unlike the Sporting Record of the then Daily Times of Nigeria.
Yet, the advent of Sports Souvenir was not the beginning of Ojeagbase’s sporting journalism career. He was hitherto unheralded when he was a freelancer for Herald newspapers in Ilorin and the New Nigerian in Kaduna before doing the same for Daily Times in Lagos.
At the time, he was in the Nigerian Army which he joined in 1969, a year to the end of the Nigerian Civil War. In 1979, the soldier journalist voluntarily retired as a corporal to take a full time sports writing job under the celebrated Solomon Babatunde Oshuntolu (ESBEE) in the Daily Times.
That was the launch pad into great fame. The hitherto golden fish can find no hiding place in the waters again. In 1980, he joined the Concord Press of Nigeria and was editing the sports pages of Sunday Concord.
Here, his writings, largely in simple flowing English and in-depth analyses were delightful to read. One of such was the unearthing of the causes of frictions that existed between the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the then government-ran National Sports Commission (NSC). the Sunday Concord write-up captioned “Strange Doings at NOC” was published on August 8, 1982.
It was a hallmark of investigative journalism and in-depth reporting.
Ojeagbase traced these to 1966 in the days leading to Nigeria’s participation at the Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica when a newly appointed NSC military helmsman, Colonel Mike Okwechime broke into a meeting of the NOC under the presidency of Adetokunbo Ademola.
Another masterpiece of Ojeagbase in the Sunday Concord was his unearthing the remote and immediate causes of Nigeria’s elimination from the 1982 World Cup qualifying series.
He easily fitted in into the high-profile journalism package that The Guardian set out to achieve when the acclaimed flagship of Nigerian print journalism began in 1983.
At The Guardian, he headed a power-packed sports desk that included Michel Obi, Trigo Egbegi, Chris Okojie, Ikeddy Isiguzo, and Sam John among others. Interestingly, all later became sports editors of notable Nigerian publications.
He left The Guardian and set up Sports Souvenir in November 1984 to begin his illustrious career as a publisher and entrepreneur. A year later, he founded the Complete Football magazine as the first colour sports magazine in Nigeria.
As its title implies, it was devoted entirely to football and profited greatly from Nigeria’s exploits at the inaugural FIFA under 16 World Tournament in China. Six years later, other titles came in quick succession – the International Soccer Review, Complete Football International and Complete Football Extra which was devoted to the domestic Nigerian football.
On 18 December 1995, Ojeagbase’s Complete Communications Limited rolled out the Complete Sports newspaper which has remained not just the market leader, but the longest running daily sports newspaper in Nigeria.
By Christian Emeruwa
For sports to truly develop in Nigeria, we need active, courageous, professional and unbiased sports journalists who can ask difficult questions and hold administrators accountable.
But the painful reality today is that many sports journalists in Nigeria are poorly paid, poorly protected and economically vulnerable. A journalist who cannot survive independently will eventually struggle to remain completely independent. This is not because many of them lack principles, but because survival itself has become a daily battle.
Over the years, I have seen passionate and dedicated sports journalists pushed to the brink of compromise simply due to economic hardship. Some of the finest minds in sports reportage today suffer in silence. At the same time, a few administrators have mastered the art of building personal media teams from the same journalists who should ordinarily question them objectively.
The result is what we see today:
– coordinated attacks on critics,
– blind defence of administrators,
– destruction of opposing opinions,
– and growing division within sports media spaces.
This raises serious questions:
What is being done by sports journalists themselves to improve their welfare and independence? What role is SWAN playing in protecting the dignity, welfare and professional future of sports journalists in Nigeria?
What structures exist to support young and upcoming sports reporters who genuinely want to practice ethical journalism without becoming tools in political or administrative battles?
If nothing drastic is done to improve the welfare, training, independence and protection of sports journalists, then we should honestly stop expecting journalists to consistently hold sports administrators accountable. Independence is difficult when survival depends on the very people you are expected to question.
Sports journalism is too important to Nigerian sports development to be left in this condition. Strong sports administration needs strong sports journalism. The two must challenge each other professionally for the system to grow.
This is not an attack on anyone. It is a sincere call for reflection and reform. The future of Nigerian sports reportage depends on the decisions we make today.
Dr Christian Emeruwa is the current head and founder of CAF Safety & Security, a FIFA Senior Safety & Security Officer, a Sport Administrator, a Lecturer and Consultant.
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria has congratulated sports journalist and club administrator Godwin Enakhena following the promotion of Sporting Lagos to the top-flight Nigeria Premier Football League.
In a letter jointly signed by its leadership, SWAN praised Enakhena’s role in guiding the club from the Nigeria National League to the NPFL, describing the achievement as a reflection of “visionary leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment” to the growth of football in Nigeria.
The association noted that the club’s rise to the elite division underscores the discipline, resilience, and collective effort of the management, coaching crew, and players under Enakhena’s stewardship. It added that the feat should serve as a springboard for further success in the country’s top division.
SWAN also commended the Sporting Lagos chairman for promoting professionalism and contributing to raising standards within Nigerian club football, expressing confidence that the club would make a positive impact in the NPFL.
In the message, SWAN President Isaiah Benjamin, along with the wider sporting media community, wished Enakhena continued wisdom, strength, and success as Sporting Lagos prepares for life in the top flight.
The letter was signed by SWAN General Secretary Ikenna Okonkwo.
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Rapids Sports & Entertainment, DMPartners and Metis Craton have jointly unveiled the maiden edition of the Nigeria Sports Industry Outlook, a landmark report designed to provide a comprehensive review of the sector and map out expectations for the future.
The annual publication, the first of its kind in the country, captures insights from key stakeholders across the sports ecosystem, offering a structured assessment of the past year alongside projections for the year ahead.
A Growing Global Industry with Local Potential
The release of the report comes against the backdrop of a rapidly expanding global sports economy. According to the World Economic Forum, the sector is currently valued at $2.3 trillion, contributing nearly 2 per cent of global GDP, with projections indicating growth of more than 50 per cent over the next decade.
For Nigeria, the stakes are even higher. With over 70 per cent of its population under the age of 35, sports is increasingly seen as a powerful economic and social driver, capable of generating employment, investment, and innovation.
A ‘Defining Document’ for Stakeholders
Co-curator Tonte Davies described the 2026 edition as a pivotal resource for the sector.
“The Nigeria Sports Industry Outlook Report is a defining document for the sports sector. It provides a clear lens into the future of sports in Nigeria, highlighting investment opportunities, addressing structural challenges, and reinforcing the urgent need to position sports as a sustainable business,” he said.
Davies added that the report, which has already generated significant interest among stakeholders, is accessible via the official LinkedIn pages of the three co-producers.
Bridging the Knowledge Gap
Another co-curator, Adedamilola Adedotun, emphasised the need to close the information gap within the Nigerian sports industry.
“We are very bullish about the potential of sports in Nigeria. But while we recognise its possible social and economic contribution, we also acknowledge the knowledge gap within the industry. This Outlook provides critical information about various sectors, stakeholders, and their projections for the future,” he noted.
Five Pillars of Industry Growth
The report is structured around five key pillars considered essential to the long-term development of the sports industry:
- Governance, Policy and Regulations
- Sporting Events
- Partnerships and Investments
- Licensing, Intellectual Property and Merchandising
- Sports Infrastructure
According to co-curator Telema Davies, these pillars reflect global best practices.
“Governance and policy provide direction, partnerships and investments fund development, events drive product visibility, infrastructure forms the foundation, and licensing and intellectual property protect commercial value,” she explained.
A Strategic Tool for Decision-Makers
The Nigeria Sports Industry Outlook 2026 is positioned as a strategic intelligence and reference document for investors, policymakers, and business leaders seeking to identify opportunities across the sports value chain.
Beyond analysis, the report serves as a call to action, urging stakeholders to harness Nigeria’s demographic advantage and align sports with broader economic development goals.
As the country continues to explore new growth sectors, the report underscores a clear message: sports is no longer just entertainment; it is serious business.
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