Arsenal Supporters Club Nigeria has set a target of recruiting 10,000 paid members within its first year of full operations as it moves to expand its national reach and strengthen its organisational structure.
The club’s National Working Committee, led by Executive Chairman Emeka Onyenuforo, adopted a 30-90-day operational roadmap at its recent Executive Board re-inaugural meeting, outlining plans for membership expansion, digital administration and nationwide engagement.
As part of the strategy, ASCN is developing an integrated digital membership platform, expected to launch within the next two weeks, to support its registration drive and centralise its membership database.
According to the club, 14 technology developers were evaluated during the selection process, with a preferred developer identified as it moves towards formalising an engagement for the development of its official web portal.
The platform is expected to capture members’ profiles, contact details and jersey sizes, while providing access to verified digital and physical membership identification.
Membership will be organised into regular, premium and patron/corporate categories, subject to the approved arrangements.
The secretariat, headed by General Secretary Martins Edward, will oversee the nationwide registration campaign.
ASCN also confirmed that its corporate current account is operational, providing a central channel for membership dues, donations and commercial sponsorships.
The board reaffirmed the organisation’s non-political and non-profit status, with its activities focused on fan engagement, unity, organisational development and community impact.
Meanwhile, National Vice-Chairman Ismaila Kehinde said participation in the club’s delegation to the African Fans Festival in Kenya would be open to Arsenal supporters across Nigeria, not just executive members.
In a statement, ASCN said interested supporters could express their willingness to join the delegation, subject to registration, selection and travel arrangements.
The club said its participation would provide an opportunity to showcase Nigerian Arsenal fans, build relationships with supporters’ groups across the continent and strengthen its international profile.
It added that it would explore the possibility of Nigeria hosting a future edition of the festival, while also seeking strategic alignment with Fans Heritage UK to strengthen links between Nigerian supporters and the wider Arsenal supporters’ network in the United Kingdom.
On its domestic expansion, ASCN said it was working towards establishing a standardised structure for state chapters across the South-South, South-East, South-West and Northern regions.
Proposed chapter executive positions include chairman, secretary, treasurer and welfare officer, while guidelines for recognised viewing centres are also being developed to promote organised fan activities.
Beyond football, the club plans to introduce monthly community outreach programmes under its Gunners CSR initiative, including sanitation drives and blood donation campaigns.
It also said its Disciplinary Committee and Member Code of Conduct would promote responsible fandom, mutual respect and peaceful relations with supporters of rival clubs, with zero tolerance for violence.
The club’s listed Board of Trustees include Onyenuforo as National Head and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Stephen Obinwa as National Legal Adviser, Akanni Kabir as Lagos Branch Chairman, and Samuel Martins as General Secretary.
Punch
