The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has directed clubs without functional websites to establish and maintain one as a mandatory licensing requirement for participation in the 2026/27 season.
The directive was announced by the NPFL’s Chief Operating Officer, Prince Davidson Owumi, during the NPFL/Afrinvest workshop for clubs’ Marketing and Media Directors held in Enugu on Wednesday.
Owumi said a strong digital presence was essential for clubs to provide credible and accessible information about their activities, players and operations. According to him, functional websites would enable sponsors, investors and scouts to assess commercial and sporting opportunities more effectively.
He noted that access to reliable and verifiable information on all 20 NPFL clubs would strengthen the league’s marketing efforts and improve its ability to attract sponsorship from both domestic and international markets.
“Football is a global business, and we must also compete on the world stage. This can only be achieved by establishing a strong presence in the digital space,” Owumi said.
He warned that clubs would be required to submit links to their official websites during the registration process for the new season, adding that failure to comply with the directive could affect their licensing.
Owumi also urged clubs to strengthen their media departments to meet the demands of modern digital communication. He said media units should be adequately equipped and staffed, rather than relying on a single media officer to perform multiple roles.
“It is no longer acceptable for one media officer to provide live match updates, handle video production and perform other media functions. Clubs should have dedicated photographers, videographers, graphic designers and video editors to produce engaging content that drives traffic across digital platforms,” he said.
Also speaking at the workshop, the NPFL’s Director of Communications and Media, Harry Iwuala, called on club management to provide greater financial support for their media departments.
Iwuala said investment in digital media infrastructure would not only enhance clubs’ online visibility but also create additional revenue opportunities through sponsorship, fan engagement and social media monetisation.
“There are significant opportunities for clubs to generate revenue through their digital presence. Beyond attracting sponsors and showcasing players to scouts, social media platforms have become valuable sources of income,” he said.
Other resource persons at the workshop included George Isitua Onukwu, Managing Director of TBWA Concepts; Nelson Ine, Director at GTI Assets Management; and Dr Derek Kaka’an, a lecturer with extensive experience in sports administration and marketing.
