FCT FA Head Calls for Changes After N1bn Prize Boost

Adam Mohammed, the chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Football Association, has praised the National Sports Commission for increasing the prize money for the Nigeria Premier Football League champions to N1bn. He called this move a bold step for football in Nigeria.

But he warned that this increase needs to be supported by real changes in the system for it to truly benefit the game.

Shehu Dikko, the NSC chairman, announced this new prize money during a meeting with Nigeria Football Federation officials in Abuja on Tuesday. He confirmed that the champions of the 2026/27 NPFL season will get N1bn, a huge jump from the previous N200m.

The runners-up will get N800m, while the third-placed team will earn N700m. Other clubs will also receive cash based on their final standing in the league.

Mohammed spoke on Wednesday, praising the NSC, NFF, and NPFL for making a decision that reflects the potential of Nigerian football. "Full credit goes to the NSC, the Nigeria Football Federation, and the NPFL for making a statement that matches the scale of our football potential," he said.

However, he stressed that just increasing the prize money won't change the domestic game without better governance, infrastructure, and business practices. "A massive incentive is welcome, but it should not be mistaken for a fully functional football system. If the league is not commercially viable, properly televised, safe for players, and trusted by fans, the prize money alone will not transform it," Mohammed said.

He emphasized that clubs need to adopt business models that are sustainable and supported by steady income and professional management instead of just surviving financially. "The real objective should be building clubs that no longer struggle for survival but compete confidently on and off the pitch," he added.

He also mentioned that improving facilities, creating effective youth academies, and having transparent management are key for Nigerian clubs to compete better in international competitions.

Mohammed urged companies in Nigeria to go beyond just token support for football and become true partners in developing the sport. "Banks, telecommunications firms, airlines, energy companies, media organizations, and manufacturers all have roles to play in football’s value chain," he said.

"Our ambition should not be limited to offering the biggest prize money in Africa. We should focus on building the continent’s most-watched, most-trusted, and most-talent-producing league. That is the real trophy," he stated.

He noted that Nigeria has everything needed to lead African football but has often failed in execution. "What we have often lacked is transparency, accountability, and commercial discipline. This announcement can be a turning point if implementation matches the ambition," Mohammed said.

Along with the prize money boost, the NSC also introduced a minimum monthly salary of N2m for NPFL players, up from the previous N150,000. This is part of efforts to enhance player welfare, keep talent in Nigeria, and improve the overall league standard.

Plans to bring NPFL back to mainstream television are also reportedly making good progress. Dikko mentioned that broadcast visibility is a must.