Borno State Commissioner for Sports and Poverty Alleviation, Sainna Buba, has described the proposed N2 million minimum monthly salary for players in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) as unrealistic under the current financial realities facing most clubs.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) recently advised clubs in the NPFL to adopt N2 million as minimum wage for players in the league, saying the enhanced salary would help curb frequent players’ exodus to better-paying foreign clubs.

Speaking in Asaba, Delta State, shortly after El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri emerged champions of the 2026 President Federation Cup, Buba said the proposed salary structure could only be sustained if adequate revenue-generating mechanisms are first put in place to enable clubs to meet such financial obligations.

According to him, many NPFL clubs are heavily dependent on government funding and currently lack the commercial capacity to shoulder such a huge wage bill.

“The league authorities must first establish modalities that will enhance revenue generation for clubs before introducing a new salary regime. Without a sustainable financial framework, the proposal may become counterproductive and could negatively affect the overall performance and stability of the league,” he said.

The commissioner further criticised the manner in which the proposal was announced, describing it as an overreach by league managers who, according to him, failed to adequately consult club owners and stakeholders before making the declaration.

He stressed that club proprietors and state governments that fund most teams should have been carried along in discussions on such a significant policy shift.

Buba warned that enforcing the proposed salary structure without broader consultations could create financial crises for several clubs, noting that only a few teams currently possess the resources to pay players N2 million monthly.

He, therefore, urged the NPFL leadership to reconsider the proposal and instead focus on strengthening clubs’ commercial viability through improved sponsorship deals, broadcasting rights, marketing strategies and other revenue streams.

On the triumph of El-Kanemi Warriors in the Federation Cup, the commissioner attributed the success to the sustained investment of the Borno State Government under Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.

He said the victory reflects the governor’s unwavering commitment to transforming Borno into a major sports hub in Nigeria.

Buba disclosed that the state government is already making plans to strengthen the team ahead of its participation in the 2026/2027 CAF Confederation Cup, with efforts underway to recruit quality players capable of representing both the state and Nigeria creditably on the continental stage.

He also revealed that the government was considering a major overhaul of the squad, indicating that nearly 80 per cent of the players who featured for the club last season may be released due to issues bordering on attitude and commitment.

Despite suffering relegation from the NPFL last season, he expressed optimism that the “Zulum Boys” would bounce back stronger in the coming campaign, especially as the club intensifies its search for a top technical adviser following the departure of coach Ismail Dogo, who is set to join Niger Tornadoes after guiding El-Kanemi Warriors to Federation Cup glory at the Stephen Keshi International Stadium in Asaba.