NPFL Champions to Get ₦1bn as NSC and NFF Introduce Major Changes

The winners of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season will get at least ₦1 billion. This is the largest cash prize ever in Nigerian domestic football. This change comes from new reforms announced by the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The announcement was made on Tuesday by NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko. He spoke after a meeting with leaders from the NSC and NFF at the NSC headquarters in Abuja. Mr Dikko said this decision is part of a bigger plan to improve Nigerian football. This plan focuses on better player welfare, stricter standards for professionals, and increasing the league's commercial value.

Under the new prize structure, the NPFL runners-up will earn ₦500 million. The third-placed team will receive ₦300 million. This is still subject to final confirmation by the league authorities.

“A major highlight of the meeting was that the champions of the 2026/27 NPFL season will receive a minimum prize money of ₦1 billion,” Mr Dikko said.

He mentioned that these reforms show a shared commitment from the NSC and NFF to boost Nigerian football. They want to ensure lasting success at all levels of the game.

“I want to thank NFF President Ibrahim Gusau and the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, for a very productive engagement. The issues discussed are fundamental to the growth and development of Nigerian football,” Dikko added.

Aside from the prize money, the stakeholders agreed that club licensing rules would be strictly followed. Clubs must meet high professional standards instead of just the basic ones.

“Professional football must be run professionally. If strict enforcement means fewer clubs qualify initially, then so be it. What is important is raising standards across the board,” Mr Dikko said.

To support these reforms, the NSC and league authorities agreed on a big intervention package. This package aims to improve infrastructure, governance, and compliance in the league.

Another big decision from the meeting was approving a minimum wage of ₦2 million for NPFL players. This move aims to improve player welfare, promote professionalism, and strengthen the local football scene.

The meeting also looked at preparations for the Super Falcons ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Officials agreed on steps to improve funding, player welfare, and payments as the ten-time African champions get ready to start training in Nigeria before heading to Morocco for friendly matches.

NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade praised the growing teamwork among football stakeholders.

“Together, we are transforming the way sports are administered in this country, and today’s meeting shows our shared determination to build a stronger future for Nigerian football,” he said.

NFF President Ibrahim Gusau agreed, emphasizing the need for partnership before important international matches, including WAFCON and the upcoming AFCON qualifiers.

“Whatever we want to achieve in Nigerian football requires collaboration, and today’s meeting was both timely and productive,” Gusau said.

These sweeping reforms are expected to raise the profile and competitiveness of Nigerian football. They will also provide greater financial security for clubs, coaches, and players.