Football viewing centres in an African megacity: viewers’ characteristics and operational dynamics

ABSTRACT

This study examines viewers’ characteristics and operational dynamics of football viewing centres (FVCs) in Agege, Lagos Megacity, Nigeria. It anchors on the “theory of happiness” and the microeconomic vitality of FVCs using a mixed-methods approach. The results of the descriptive and inferential statistics revealed that most viewers can afford subscriptions for digital TV in their homes, yet patronize the FVCs. Factors attributed to patronage are happiness, excitement, and other social opportunities, with some perspectives of leisure and microeconomic vitality benefits. Finally, the study suggests a new policy direction to mitigate the negative effects of unplanned areas resulting in the proliferation of FVCs.

KEYWORDS:

• Football viewing centers (FVCs)
• happiness
• leisure
• megacity
• Nigeria

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nathaniel Oluwaseun Ogunseye

Nathaniel Oluwaseun Ogunseye, B.Tech., M.Sc. is a lecturer at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria. His teaching and research interests include environmental planning and management, waste management, urban planning and urban design. He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners and a registered member of the Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria.

Adebola Moses Olowosegun

Adebola Moses Olowosegun (PhD) is a Research Fellow at the Transport Research Institute, Edinburgh Napier University. His teaching and research interests include urban planning, transport planning, urban growth and well-being, and applications of geographic information systems. He is a fellow of the higher education academy, a registered town planner and a member of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners.

Waheed Ayinla Kadiri

Waheed Ayinla Kadiri holds a Diploma in Planning from Glasgow School of Arts, Glasgow, Scotland and M.Sc. in Transport Studies from Ogun State University now Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria. He was the Past National President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) and the National President of the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria. He was also Chairman of the African Planning Association. He is the Director of the Centre for Environmental Studies and Design Ltd GTE (NGO). He is a Fellow of NITP and a registered Town Planner with the Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria. His interest is in pro-poor planning, planning advocacy and mentoring young professionals.

Umar Obafemi Salisu

Umar Obafemi Salisu is a Lecturer in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria. He obtained B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Transport Studies from the prestigious Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, and is currently, a doctoral degree student. His areas of research interest include transportation systems planning and management, logistics, land use management, urban planning and quantitative techniques.

Omololu David Ogunseye

Omololu David Ogunseye is a licensed professional engineer at Freeport-McMoran Inc, Phoenix, Arizona, United States. In recent years, he has been developing skills, working at the interface of research and industry. His research interests include Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues related to waste management, geotechnics, risk management, and urbanism.