The Osun State Football Association (FA) has issued an urgent appeal to the state government for immediate intervention as its two publicly funded football clubs, Osun United and Osun Babes, face serious threats of relegation in their respective national leagues.
Osun United, competing in the Nigeria National League (NNL)—the country’s second division—currently sits seventh in a ten-team Group B table. With only a few matches remaining in the season, the club occupies a position precariously close to the relegation zone. Sources within the club, speaking anonymously, stated that Osun United must win its final three fixtures to guarantee safety. Meanwhile, Osun Babes, the state’s representative in the Nigeria Women’s Premier League (NWPL), is also hovering just above the drop zone following a series of poor results.
In a formal statement, Osun FA Chairman Sola Fanawopo directly attributed the crises to inadequate welfare and operational support for both teams. He specifically called on the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Kola Adewusi—who oversees the state’s sports portfolio—to take swift, practical action. Fanawopo urged the Deputy Governor to conduct a firsthand assessment of the teams’ conditions, including visits to players’ hostels, inspection of team transportation, and attendance at matches, to fully grasp the severity of the situation.
“The current state of player welfare has negatively affected morale and performance, putting both teams at serious risk,” Fanawopo stated. He argued that insufficient funding and declining support have directly contributed to the unfavourable run of results endangering the clubs’ top-flight status.
The appeal highlights the broader challenge of sustaining publicly funded sports clubs in Nigeria’s competitive league system. For Osun State, the potential double demotion would mean a significant reduction in its national sporting profile and community engagement through football. The FA’s request centres on stabilising operations, enhancing welfare packages, and implementing urgent measures to preserve the state’s presence in both the men’s and women’s elite football divisions before the seasons conclude.
