The Business of African Football (Nigeria): What No One Talks About

African football is full of passion, talent, and potential, but behind every academy, league, and success story is a business structure that determines whether development truly happens. In this podcast episode, Mr. Ayobami Animasahun breaks down the real foundations needed to build and sustain football projects across Africa.

From the ideal age to enroll a child in an academy, to the blend of talent and teachings, to the challenges of player recruitment and why the local league struggles with market value, this conversation dives deep into how African football really operates. We explore infrastructure requirements, sustainability issues, the realities of player sales, and the conviction necessary to start a football project that lasts.

Whether you're an aspiring academy owner, a coach, a football parent, or someone studying the business of football in Africa, this episode offers a grounded blueprint for navigating development, structure, and long-term success.

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Timestamps 🕛
Intro 00:00
Children's enrollment in a Football Academy 04:18
Is football ability innate? 12:06
What assessment is used for player recruiting? 14:58
Why is the NFL not as attractive as the EFL? 19:38
Recommendations to Nigerian Football Academies 27:48
Amount needed to start a Football Academy 40:31
Is a football startup a good investment? 45:14
Get our eBook for free 53:59