With the internet spreading like wildfire across Nigeria and giving millions of people access to a world they’ve never had before, huge changes are happening. Many Nigerians have found that there are new opportunities for them, especially when it comes to content creation on social media.

During AFCON 2023, many Super Eagles fans took to their smartphones to discuss and promote the games, highlighting how anyone can be a football pundit in the modern age. This passion for the sport and ability to transmit to a huge audience worldwide could be exactly what Nigerian football needs to gain more recognition around the globe.

Nigeria Known as a Football-Mad Nation

Nigeria has long been known as a football-mad nation, with Super Eagles fans often among the highlights of major tournaments with their bright colours and party-like celebrations. Within the country, there’s passion for the local leagues and the national team, but there’s also a widespread interest in foreign competitions such as the Premier League.

Thanks to international broadcasting and the internet, it’s now much easier for Nigerians to access football from around the world. There’s also a huge betting scene around the sport, which is expanding in the country as more people get online. Now, there’s a fierce competition to be the best betting site in Nigeria, with some international companies operating here and offering lucrative welcome deals to new members.

Despite the overwhelming passion for football here, most people from other countries only get the chance to see Nigerian fans during the World Cup. However, thanks to the rise of social media, Nigerians can now spread their passion more easily.

TikTok’s AFCON Boom Shows the Potential

Social media’s influence on major football competitions is becoming more apparent, and TikTok partnering with the Confederation of African Football in 2023 to bring fans closer to the AFCON action was a turning point. Fans created and shared thousands of videos related to the tournament, and the CAF TikTok account reached 8.8 million followers. The notable thing about the content was that it was an eclectic mix of punditry, celebrations, and chants.

This transition shows how there’s an opportunity for everyday creators to become the new ambassadors of Nigerian football. Today’s social media users seem to value real experiences that put them at the centre of the action, and aren’t as concerned about a content creator’s expertise or credentials.

These everyday pundits can speak the language of the people and connect with them in ways that traditional football spokespeople can’t. On top of that, social platforms allow for greater interaction, meaning that creators can easily field questions and teach people more about Nigerian football.

The NPFL could benefit greatly from international exposure, and the best way for this to happen could be for more content creators to promote it. Super Eagles fans have already shown the power they have to spread their positivity, and it would be great to see this done more for the country’s main league. If Nigerian football is promoted more on the world stage, it could help fund greater success in the future.