By Sunday Agunbiade
History was made yesterday, Sunday, 27th April, 2025 as a privately owned club, Remo Stars Football Club lifted 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier League title clashing with a day Liverpool Football Club Crowned Champions of English Premier League.
Olamilekan Adebayo’ decisive goal in Sky Blue Stars’ 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes today in Ikenne confirms Daniel Ogunmodede‘s side as the first South West club to win the NPFL title since Julius Berger in 2000 .Liverpool also Crowned Premier League Champions After Dismantling Spurs 5-1 in the same match day fixture.
Remo Stars have recorded 68 points from 35 matches, 10 points clear of closest rivals Rivers United with three rounds of matches to the end of the season. It would be recalled that the Ikenne club finished runners-up in the league for the past two seasons and they will thus represent Nigeria in next year’s CAF Champions League along with the eventual runners-up this season.
What looks like a tall and unattainable dream when the former member of House of Representative declared that he was going to make Nigeria Premier Football League calendar align with the rest of the world is now a reality considering the present economic challenges and toxic attitude of investors to Nigerian businesses.
Today, Daniel Ogunmodede of Remo Stars Coach breaks a 25 year jinx emerged the first South West Club to win the Nigeria Premier Football League title since Julius Berger won it in the year 2000, while Arne Slot is also the first Dutch Manager to win the Premier League and Virgil Van Dijk is the only Dutch player to win the Premier League as captain of his side.The Skye Blues are the first privately-owned club since Udoji United won it in 1996.
Another history but a similar contrast is that while Skye Blues wins their first Premier League title, the Reds have equaled Manchester United in the 20 Premier League title holders putting them on equal pedestal as the two most successful English clubs in domestic enclave.
The former Director General of National Sports Commission has done the unimaginable feat in the league as Private clubs that are hitherto known to be battling relegation due to activities of some unscrupulous elements are now occupying the top 4 in the league table: Remo and Ikorodu City. This is not unconnected with the sanctions of some erring fans, banishment of some stadia, deduction of points and eviction of corrupt match officials in the last three seasons.
Now, that the NPFL is coincidentally aligning with the global football calendar, particularly the most watched, popular and highest coefficient ranking league, English Premier League as Liverpool declared 2024/2025 League Champions, it is a testament to the hard work and determination of the league regulators headed by Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye in putting the league at par with the rest of the world in line with global best practices.
Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, the chairman of Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Board who assured league stakeholders and fans of ongoing improvements in the competition. He noted that while no system is perfect, the NPFL remained committed to continuous progress in alignment with international best practices.
Reflecting on the league’s progress over the past three years, the Ondo State born astute football admistrator has increased the league winner’s cash prize from N100 million in the first year to N150 million in the second, and now 2200 million for the 2024/2025 season.
The graduate of Obafemi Awolowo has also honored commitment regarding the prize money partnering with GTI, as referees now receive their allowances directly, which has significantly improved the standard of officiating. He also received audited financial statement for the past 2 years.
Part of his board long vision is to establish a self-sustaining system for NPFL, a key part of this vision includes educating stakeholders on effectively managing professional league teams.
To support this, he has introduced of Vagency Consulting aims to enhance scouting efforts, with additional training programs planned for other aspects of football club management.
Remo Stars will officially be crowned 2024/2025 NPFL champions in their next home game
May the Nigeria Premier Football League continue to grow as Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye led board is making Nigerian league a global brand for the world to see
