Kenneth

The conversation about why NPFL fans "can’t fill up stadiums" is always flying around on this app, and as someone who have been on the inside working with Sporting Lagos, I think it’s time to add some real context to how this actually works on the ground. Building a football culture in Nigeria isn't a copy-and-paste job; just because you see a team from North African pull up numbers, you want that immediately for the NPFL when no be juju forgetting that culture building is a grueling, long-term project. At Sporting Lagos, we are constantly testing what works, and the truth is, we’ve made incredible strides even filling up the stands during tricky midweek fixtures. It’s not a packed house every single game day yet, but the trajectory is clear because we are intentionally laying the groundwork. Now, if you look at clubs like Kano Pillars and other Northern clubs, their stadiums are always buzzing. They actually have to do very little marketing or engagement to pull those crowds. Why? Because the people there are already deeply, culturally attached to their teams. Going to the stadium is an ancestral habit passed down through generations (shooting stars). it is woven straight into the fabric of their daily community life. That is exactly what we are trying to build here in the South: that identical, unbreakable cultural attachment. Because we don't have that century-old legacy yet, our approach is anchored in aggressive community engagement, activations, and our dedicated school projects. We are deliberately introducing the next generation to the matchday experience, understanding that a "turnt" core fan base isn't bought overnight. it is nurtured piece by piece until local football becomes an undisputed lifestyle. And we aren't the only ones fighting this battle. There are so many passionate individuals doing incredibly interesting things and actively moving the needle with their respective clubs across the country to change the narrative around Nigerian football. That is exactly why it’s hard to take armchair critics seriously. If you have never actually bought a ticket, walked through the gates, and watched a local game live, I’m simply not going to entertain you having a say in this conversation. Ejo lefe ro. You can't fix a house you refuse to step inside of. If you genuinely want to see Nigerian football and the NPFL grow, stop analyzing the attendance from your timeline come out to the stadium, feel the energy, and be part of the culture we are actively building. Also today is my One year anniversary working with Sporing Lagos ❤️