NPFL: Dr. Ike Chioke urges better officiating to attract blue-chip sponsors
Afrinvest West Africa Managing Director Dr. Ike Chioke has emphasized that the Nigeria Premier Football League must prioritize match officiating transparency and structural discipline to successfully secure blue-chip corporate investments.
Afrinvest West Africa Managing Director, Dr. Ike Chioke, has called for enhanced transparency and discipline within the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to attract major corporate sponsors.
Speaking at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena after Enugu Rangers clinched the 2025/26 domestic league title, Chioke emphasized that structural integrity is vital to elevating the championship to global athletic and commercial standards.
While celebrating Rangers’ 2-1 victory over Ikorodu City, Chioke expressed dissatisfaction with match officiating, noting it discouraged non-partisan corporate entities.
He argued that the country’s multi-trillion naira exchange features hundreds of blue-chip companies capable of financing domestic clubs.
According to him, institutional governance must improve to convince large conglomerates, including major banking and cement firms, to invest heavily in sports development.
Highlighting the socioeconomic potential of football, the investment banker explained that professionalizing the league could significantly curb youth unemployment.
Chioke expressed pride in Afrinvest’s front-shirt partnership, which saw the Flying Antelopes secure two titles in three seasons.
He added that proper financial backing creates global platforms for local players, evidenced by recent national call-ups for the upcoming Unity Cup tournament.
