Gbagada FC founder and president Olajide Akinyelu says careful budgeting, partnerships and a strong focus on youth development have helped the club stay afloat as it approaches its 13th anniversary.
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The grassroots club will clock 13 years in a few days, with Akinyelu reflecting on the journey and the challenges of running a football project in Nigeria.
According to him, Gbagada FC operates without co-owners and relies on a structured financial plan to manage the club.
“For every season we create a budget,” Akinyelu explained, stressing the importance of planning as the club continues to maintain its identity as a community-based football organisation.
However, he admitted that keeping the club running has not always been easy, revealing that there have been periods when Gbagada FC faced serious financial difficulties.
Akinyelu said partnerships and sponsorships have helped the club continue its operations, although attracting major brands remains a challenge.
He explained that the club’s relatively small match-day crowds can make it difficult to attract sponsors when compared with bigger football organisations that regularly draw thousands of spectators.
Despite these challenges, Gbagada FC has continued to maintain a professional image.
The club places a strong focus on branding, with its players regularly seen in organised tracksuits, official clothing and other club-branded materials.
Akinyelu said this approach goes beyond appearance, as the club wants young players to understand how professional football clubs operate and the standards expected of them beyond their performances on the pitch.
He also explained that his decision to establish Gbagada FC was influenced by his own experience as a young footballer and the difficulties he faced while trying to find a properly structured pathway that combined football development with education.
Rather than focusing only on producing footballers, Akinyelu said the club was created to provide young players with a more organised environment where they can develop both as footballers and individuals.
As Gbagada FC approaches its 13th year, the club remains committed to grassroots football development while continuing to seek more partnerships and support to strengthen its long-term future.
