Former Gombe State Football Association chairman Shuaibu Gara Gombe has expressed reservations over the proposed reforms of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), warning that while the initiative is commendable, its implementation could prove difficult under the current structure of Nigerian football.
The football administrator was reacting to the National Sports Commission’s (NSC) plans to introduce sweeping reforms aimed at improving player welfare, club licensing, financial sustainability and the overall commercial value of the domestic league.
While supporting the Commission’s long-term vision, Gara Gombe argued that many top-flight clubs are owned and funded by state governments, making it unrealistic to expect immediate compliance with the proposed standards.
“The reforms are good for Nigerian football, but implementation will not be easy because of the realities surrounding most of our clubs,” Gara Gombe said.
He explained that state governments, which finance the majority of NPFL clubs, already face competing financial obligations, making it difficult to immediately adopt new salary structures and other financial commitments proposed under the reform agenda.
Rather than enforcing sweeping changes at once, Gara Gombe advocated for a gradual implementation strategy that would allow clubs sufficient time to adjust to the new requirements.
“These structures can be introduced progressively. If stakeholders are given time to adapt, the reforms will stand a better chance of succeeding than trying to change everything overnight,” he added.
The National Sports Commission has maintained that the reforms are designed to reposition the NPFL as a professionally managed and commercially attractive competition capable of driving Nigeria’s sports economy, with consultations ongoing between the Commission, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and other key stakeholders.
As discussions continue, the debate over the pace and implementation of the reforms is expected to remain a major talking point ahead of the start of the new domestic football season.
