Broadcast Rights Compliance: NPFL Declares Lekan Salami Stadium Unfit, Orders Shooting Stars to Relocate Home Matches
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has declared the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, unsuitable for hosting NPFL matches, following recent developments linked to the league’s broadcast and television rights.
This directive was contained in an official letter dated 30th January 2026, addressed to the Chairman of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) by the NPFL management.
According to the letter signed by the Chief Operating Officer of the NPFL, Mr. Davidson Owumi, the decision became necessary subsequent to the broadcast and television rights agreement recently entered into by the league, which now places additional requirements on match venues.
The NPFL stated that, based on current assessments, the Lekan Salami Stadium no longer meets the standards required to host league matches under the new broadcast framework.
As a result, Shooting Stars FC has been directed to select an alternative home venue for their NPFL fixtures. The league provided two options for consideration: MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, and Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.
The club has been given a deadline to communicate its preferred choice to the NPFL Secretariat on or before the close of business on Monday, 2nd February 2026. The league warned that failure to respond within the stipulated timeframe would compel the NPFL to allocate a venue on behalf of the club.
The NPFL management emphasized that the directive is issued for immediate compliance, while assuring Shooting Stars FC of its continued commitment to maintaining high standards across the league.
The development is expected to generate significant reactions among football stakeholders and supporters in Ibadan, given the historic importance of the Lekan Salami Stadium as the traditional home ground of the Oluyole Warriors.
