Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the New Democratic Congress (NDC), has sounded the alarm over the state of Nigerian domestic football, warning that poor stadium attendance is undermining the sport's growth and robbing young Nigerians of genuine career opportunities.

Obi raised his concerns during a visit to the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos for Matchday Six of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), where he watched Ikorodu City defeat reigning champions Enugu Rangers 2-0.

A stadium half-empty on matchday

Seated in the stands beside Ikorodu City President Sanmi Doherty, Obi observed that a venue with a capacity of roughly 10,000 drew fewer than 2,000 spectators — a turnout he described as deeply troubling.