A deal to broadcast the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on national radio was penned Thursday with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two organisations in Abuja.

It is a move that stakeholders believe will enhance the coverage and promotion of domestic football across the country.

The agreement will see FRCN provide live match commentary, analysis, and exclusive interviews with players, coaches, and league officials.

Speaking at the event, NPFL Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, described the partnership as another landmark partnership for league football in the country.

He said that the collaboration is expected to boost the league’s popularity, attract sponsorships, and enhance fan engagement, ultimately contributing to the growth of professional football in Nigeria.

Research shows that radio has the highest reach in the country and Elegbeleye insists that working with FRCN will bring the NPFL closer to millions of football fans, especially those in rural areas who rely on radio for sports updates.

He said: “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. And know what is going on everywhere in the country and the rest of the world. 

“Our football ecosystem needs this relationship with the Federal Radio Corporation to ensure the entire country listens to our athletes on match days. This will promote the league and boost Nigeria’s football industry.”

He recalled how radio commentary played a key role in the past, helping fans familiarize themselves with local players and clubs.

“Back in the day, people knew our players by name because of live commentary. When you don’t run commentaries, there’s no way fans can recognize footballers. But when a player’s name is mentioned frequently, he becomes well-known.

 “This is crucial for marketing our players, clubs, and the league itself, which is indeed a national asset. I’m proud to say we have achieved a lot in a short time. The Nigerian league is now rated higher than before, and more local players are being included in the national team.”

In his remarks,  the Director-General of FRCN, Mohammed Bulama, reaffirmed the corporation’s dedication to reviving football enthusiasm in Nigeria.

Bulama said: “The history of sports in Nigeria has shown sports as a unifying factor and a catalyst for the overall development of Nigeria and Nigerians. 

“Indeed, the history of sports development in Nigeria, as well as the promotion of national unity cannot be complete without the mention of Radio Nigeria and its iconic sports commentators over the years, who worked hard to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians, immortalized our sporting icons, and put Nigerian sports on the global stage.”

He recalled how radio commentaries boosted stadium attendance and newspaper sales from the 1960s to the 1980s, with many fans even bringing radio sets to the stadium to listen to live analysis.

He added, “Nigerians would often put on their television only for visuals while muting it to listen to commentaries on the radio. This was a period when Radio Nigeria dominated the sports commentary scene, driving national football enthusiasm to unparalleled heights”.

Bulama lamented that the decline in football commentary on radio contributed to the drop in local football’s popularity, as many fans turned their attention to foreign leagues like the English Premier League.

“It is to arrest this decline, and put Nigerian football back on an upward trajectory, that the NPFL and the FRCN are getting back into this strategic partnership, aimed at bringing radio football commentary back.”

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Strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited have successfully facilitated a partnership deal between the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and managers of the elite league in the area of live radio commentaries during matchday activities.

GTI Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, broke the cheery news to reporters following the successful signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both parties in Abuja on Thursday.

During the signing of the MoU, the NPFL Board chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye described the partnership deal between both parties as a game-changer initiative aimed at further enhancing the popularity of the top-tier League in the country and beyond.

“The return of regular live radio commentary on FRCN, the largest Radio Network in Africa is a heartwarming initiative because it is a sure channel to bring the magic of the ever-improving NPFL to as many homes, cars and football-loving Nigerians.

“This collaboration which is largely a corporate social responsibility of Radio Nigeria was agreed because of their unbeatable reach and reputation over the years,” he said.

In his response, the Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr. Mohammed Bulama an ardent follower of sports and football, said he was pleased that live commentaries of Nigeria Premier Football League are back on the Network Service during his time at the corporation.

Also present at the occasion was the Executive Director of GTI Group, Mr Nelson Ine, who used the occasion to thank both parties for reaching a decision that aims to add value to the fast-rising elite league.

“Today marks another milestone in GTI’s quest to give the NPFL a new lease of life. The step taken today has added value to the NPFL project because it has given more Nigerians the opportunity to listen to live commentaries of our elite league by bringing them to the doorsteps of our citizens.

“GTI remains committed to improving our league and adding value to it. We are all delighted today because history has been made and we hope Corporate Nigeria will use this golden opportunity to support the project via sponsorship and utilising it for their brand visibility,” he said.

It is expected that the deal will last till the end of the 2024/2025 NPFL season and will be renewed the following season for continuity.

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Shooting Stars’ quest to return to the continental campaign after 26-year hiatus got a blow as they drew 2-2 with El Kanemi after taking an initial 2-0 lead.

At half-time in the duel, Shooting Stars were two goals up. At that point, they had climbed into the fourth position and just had a point below the third-placed Abia Warriors. They are now three points below the cut-off for continental tickets.

Just before halftime, Gideon Monday doubled the lead in what looked like a rejuvenation of Shooting Stars.

 But the hosts fought back and had a comeback in the final minutes of the game, denting Shooting Stars’ CAF continental hopes.

Daniel  Barnabas pulled a goal back just five minutes into the second half. In the 78th minute, Suleiman  Alabi levelled up for El Kanemi.

Shooting Stars will now look forward to their next match, a home game with Ikorodu City to reconstruct their path to the continent.

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