Stakeholders call for overhaul of Kano Pillars FC management amid poor NPFL performance
Kola Oyelere, Kano
Mounting concerns are trailing the performance and governance of Kano Pillars Football Club, as stakeholders and fans intensify calls for a total overhaul of the club’s management board following what many describe as one of the team’s worst spells in recent years.
The calls, articulated in a detailed analysis by sports analyst Shehu Adamu, underline structural, managerial, and administrative lapses that have crippled the once-dominant side’s competitiveness in the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
According to Adamu, Kano Pillars — historically one of Nigeria’s most successful football clubs — now languish near the bottom of the NPFL standings, a sharp contrast to their once elite status. “This slump,” he noted, “raises serious questions about the leadership, strategic direction, and effectiveness of the current management in translating resources to results.”
Key Issues Behind Kano Pillars’ Decline
Adamu’s report highlights several areas of concern, including inexperience of board members, oversized management structure, weak financial accountability, and lack of clear operational roles within the club.
He observed that many members of the current board lack the professional expertise required to run a top-flight football institution. “Managing a club in the NPFL demands business acumen, strategic planning, and football operations knowledge. Unfortunately, the present board appears deficient in these areas,” he stated.
Another major problem, according to the report, is the bloated size of the board, which hampers decision-making and blurs accountability. Adamu suggested that an effective board should have no more than seven members.
Call for Government Intervention
Given the importance of Kano Pillars to the state’s social and sporting life, Adamu proposed that the club’s supervision be moved from the Ministry of Youth and Sports to the Office of the Executive Governor.
He argued that such a shift would bring “higher-level visibility, stronger political will, and faster decision-making,” positioning the club as a strategic state asset rather than just a recreational entity.
Demand for Transparency and Professionalism
The analysis also emphasized the urgent need for a functional auditing system to ensure transparency and restore public confidence. Adamu recommended both internal and external audits, publication of financial reports, and stricter monitoring of sponsorship and ticketing revenues.
Furthermore, he called for the appointment of non-partisan, professional board members who would bring expertise in football management, marketing, finance, and legal matters. “Appointments should be based on merit, not political affiliation,” he stressed.
Fan Discipline and Club Reputation
Kano Pillars’ history of fan-related misconduct was also addressed, with Adamu advocating for fan education programmes to curb hooliganism and prevent further sanctions from football authorities. “A club thrives on passionate fans, but indiscipline can destroy its image and finances,” he warned.
A Call to Rescue a Fading Giant
The report concludes with a stern warning that unless urgent reforms are implemented, Kano Pillars FC risks further decline — both competitively and institutionally.
“The call for the dissolution of the current board is grounded in clear evidence of failure,” Adamu stated. “If the government and stakeholders act decisively, the club can still reclaim its rightful place among Nigeria’s football elite.”
He urged the Kano State Government to dissolve the current management board, appoint a smaller and more professional leadership team, institute proper auditing and accountability systems, and define clear operational roles to prevent internal friction.
Kano Pillars, a four-time NPFL champion, once stood as the pride of northern Nigeria in football. Today, fans hope that the state government will heed the calls for reform before the club’s proud legacy fades further.