Making Nigerian football attractive in the digital age

The flagship of the Nigerian Football at this point in time and age of plethora globalization opportunities should rather be on a raised ovasion, contending with high profiled football leagues in the world.

The Nigerian Football League formally known as Nigerian Premier League, despite starting in the early 20s while others had gained ground, rose above all ranks to gain recognition in the global stage as first in Africa and 24th in the world in the year 2012 which earned it a great reputation globally in the face of football lovers and governing bodies. Suffice is to say that the Nigerian Football is only basking in the euphoric glory of yesteryears.

Not denying the fact that some new things has been introduced, truth be told that the Nigerian Football is really lagging behind in so many areas where their counterparts have surpassed.

Much criticism has however, greeted the overall composure of the league which we cannot shy away from ranging from poor administration, slack decision making, shabby game procedures, lackadaisical attitude to ensuring more financial capacity and medical welfare of the players, poor coverage of matches, substandard football pitches and lots more, which if not well tailored, might as well lead to the total summersault of the Nigerian Football in its entirety.

English Football and other European Football Leagues might have really come of age but of their continuous harnessing of digital instruments into their leagues, they wouldn't have gotten this far, no, not at all, not even to this extent where players are praying they get their ways into the European Leagues.

Nonetheless, the primitive ways of doing things in the Nigerian Football can be brought to a halt and rebranded, thereby ensuring unprecedented attractiveness to the league in all ramifications that will cause a speedy rise to stardom of the Football in Nigeria and its activities cum players. Succinctly, a shift in paradigm will not only suffice but, arouse a high level  of attraction if followed.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has lots to do and much to put in place.

Development of Infrastructural facilities is a major key in bringing to existence, the much anticipated change to the Nigerian Football. When State-of-the-Art Stadiums are built in the country or when the availabile stadiums are rehabilitated to European standards, certain things will fall in place.

Foreign Investors will definitely be attracted by this move which will in no small measure make the league to be promoted to the outside world. This will also allow finance to be garnered into the pocket with which the Football Body can introduce other machineries in place for further attraction. International Patnerships that can help promote the Nigerian Football  should be sought and brought into agreement for this will help rebrand and repackage the league.

Nigerian Footballers are not given much respect in terms of welfarism, as poor remuneration greets unpaid arrears as well as mediocre-driven medical facilities. Players should be well paid, given high medical attention and well respected as this will go a long way in attracting foreign players to our league and help grow it in hand with our local players.

Goal Line Technology will give our football a facelift, if it should be embraced. The kudos, attraction and respect that would be accorded to Nigeria will be influx as this would be first if it's kind in Africa.

Since most of the Football Clubs in Nigeria are state owned which may hinder the smooth running and administration of the clubs, Privatization of the Clubs should be considered as more energy will be exerted into the football business by private owners.

Privatization will also let Nigeria come to the level of Signing high-profile players outside the country for large transfer fees as in the case of Chinese League which in no little way shall bring great development to our Football. Imagine a Nigerian Football League having American and European players in its book, you know what that means.

In technology age, some new things should be introduced to make fans want to always come to the pitch during local and International matches like free Wi-Fi in every stadia where fans can easily take pictures of happy moments and share the same immediately with their friends on social media. Truth be told, this may even be they key to low out turn of fans on stands.

The Nigerian Football League should be well covered by cable television stations with sponsorships adequately embraced. Young talents that can sell this country's football to the world should be taken out of the streets, academy and showcased. Our female football should always read in the radar of success and be a reference point.

The Nigerian Football Federation has a huge task ahead of them, politics, favouritism, nepotism, laziness should be a thing of the past in our football history so that we can attain the desired height of football glory.

Nigeria is a great country, our Football is great, we have done it before, we can do it again and stay up there without diminishing.

God bless Nigerian Football, God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Written by Adekunle Adewunmi.

Adekunle Adewunmi is an On-Air Personality at Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation and a Correspondent at Church Times Agency, Nigeria. A Poet and Writer, he writes to give Filip and life to lives. Co-Founder at Inspire; a young mind driven talk show, Adekunle ensure youths takes their destiny with full force as a change agent and employer of labour in their countries. Some  of his works have  been published on websites like churchtimesnigeria.net, ynaija.com, moshoodmuhammed.wordpress.com, Pulse.ng, akewiartshouse.com, eyimofeokuwoga.wordpress.com.