NPFL Warns Clubs to Maintain Functional Websites or Risk Losing Licences
Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi has issued a stern warning to all member clubs: establish and keep a functional website or face the possibility of losing your operating licence. The statement was made during a seminar and workshop for club Media Officers, Media Directors and Marketing Officers held in Enugu, organised jointly by the NPFL and Afrinvest under the theme “NPFL/Afrinvest Marketing Investments, Brand Merchandising and Media”.
Licensing Enforcement and Digital Standards
Owumi pointed out that the lack of credible, verifiable information from many of the league’s 20 clubs remains a major barrier to securing sponsorship deals. He noted that weak online presence and absent or inconsistent websites have cost the league and its clubs millions of naira in potential revenue.
To address this, the NPFL will begin enforcing stricter licensing criteria. Any club — whether newly promoted or already established in the top flight — that fails to set up, maintain, or operate a functional website will not be issued a club licence, and existing licences may be withdrawn.
Impact on Sponsorship and Revenue
The NPFL executive lamented that inadequate, inconsistent, epileptic, or completely missing data from clubs hampers the league’s ability to attract commercial partners. He stressed that a professional digital footprint is essential for projecting clubs into the limelight and unlocking sponsorship opportunities.
Call for Investment in Media Departments
Beyond website compliance, Owumi urged club owners and administrators to boost investment in their media units. He argued that effective communication is the cornerstone of building strong club brands.
“Club administrators should up their game and make adequate adjustments by properly funding their media departments,” he said. He added that without proper funding and regular training, media teams will underperform, rendering the club “useless” and “dead” in the public eye.
Recommended Media Department Structure
Owumi outlined the ideal composition of a professional media team, recommending that clubs employ at least five to six specialists with clearly defined roles:
- Director of Media
- Still Photographer
- Graphic Designer
- News Editor
- Social Media Manager
- Content Creator
- Videographer
He criticised the current practice at many clubs where a single individual is expected to handle photography, interviews, report writing, social media, video production and graphic design, describing the approach as unprofessional, unproductive and counter‑effective.
