Founder of Naija Ratels Football Club and Chairman of the Benue State Football Association, Chief (Dr.) Paul Edeh Esq, has called for greater attention to women’s football in Nigeria, describing it as “the least travelled road” that demands collective investment rather than lip service.

Speaking at the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Diamond Jubilee Public Lecture in Abuja, the sports philanthropist said his motivation for establishing Naija Ratels and investing over ₦2 billion in women’s football was never driven by profit, but by the desire to transform lives and promote gender inclusivity in Nigerian sports.

“For the past couple of years that I’ve been in the women’s game, we realized that we’ve invested over ₦2 billion promoting women’s football. But the only money that keeps coming in are private funds that I put back into the system,” he said.

“If you ask me if I’ve made any financial gain, the answer is no. But when I see a young girl move from the street to playing in Europe or representing Nigeria, that is my greatest reward.”

Dr. Edeh, who also serves as President of the Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF), decried the lack of female investors in the women’s game, noting that nearly all privately owned clubs in the Nigerian Women’s Football League belong to men.

“As of date, we have 20 clubs that will compete in the 2026/2027 season, and all the privately owned teams belong to men. No single woman has come out to fund or sponsor a team. Even among state-owned clubs, only a few—like Edo Queens and Nasarawa Amazons—receive consistent attention,” he lamented.

He urged both the government and corporate organisations to channel more resources into women’s sports, adding that empowering female athletes is central to national development and social equity.

“When women rise, the nation rises,” Edeh stressed.

“What SWAN has done by recognising contributors to women’s football is vital because stories like ours inspire others to invest in the next generation.”