NPFL clubs to receive 60% of new $7.5 million sponsorship deal

Nigeria Premier Football League clubs will get 60 percent of a new $7.5 million sponsorship deal for the league. This money is expected to help improve players' wages and welfare.

The three-year deal, worth $2.5 million each season, was announced in Abuja on Wednesday. EUROMATCH is the new title sponsor for the NPFL ahead of the 2026/27 season.

NPFL Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, shared the financial details during the announcement. He said the main goal of this large share of the sponsorship money is to ensure the clubs benefit directly.

"Let me announce to you that the deal is about $2.5 million every season from EUROMATCH for three seasons. That is $7.5 million," Elegbeleye said.

"That will help in increasing players' wages. Of course, we don’t give the money to the clubs ourselves, but 60 percent goes straight to the clubs. That is the agreement. This must be reflected in the welfare of the footballers."

This agreement is a big boost for the domestic league, which has been working on reforms to improve club finances, player welfare, broadcasting, branding, and the league’s overall commercial value.

Elegbeleye emphasized that the league's strategy is focused on the players. He believes footballers should be the main attraction in the league, not the administrators.

"In football and in sport generally, the athletes and the players are the attractions, not the administrators. To be honest, there are players that we want to promote, not those of us who are the administrators."

"The fact is that it is not my business to be in the public eye here. The business is about the players. Nigerians should know them. It is not the business of an administrator to be showing his face everywhere. I can be there, but I should appear in the background."

"Let our players shine. Let the world know them. Let our league be known. Those of us behind the scenes, let our work reflect and let our work show," he added.

The NPFL chairman said better earnings are necessary to make players happier and more productive.

Sunday Dare, a former Minister of Sports and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, praised the sponsorship as proof that Nigeria is treating sports as a business.

Dare congratulated the NPFL for taking on reforms. He noted that the league, clubs, management, and other stakeholders have kept pushing for reform despite tough times over the last three years.

"First, I think the NPFL must be commended for embracing change and reforms. I know the last three-plus years have not been easy for them, but they have kept at it," he said.

"Also, especially the clubs, the management and ownership of the clubs, and the key stakeholders have keyed into that change. And this is what happens when you embrace change that is progressive: you attract investment."

Dare mentioned that the $7.5 million deal over three years is significant. He said it shows the efforts made to classify sports as a business.

He added that the sports-as-business policy goes hand in hand with a 10-year football master plan. This plan is meant to develop Nigerian football, attract foreign investment, improve branding, and increase the sport's appeal.

Dare believes these reforms will also help Nigeria's national teams. He said, "I think that will also impact what we see in our national teams, the Super Eagles, the Under-20, Under-17 and others."

Dare also linked this development to more government funding for sports. He said the budget allocation increased from N1.9 billion to N76 billion.

He, however, insisted that more public funding must be combined with reforms that meet international standards.

Ibrahim Gusau, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, called the agreement a major boost for Nigerian football. He said it would strengthen the NPFL and create more opportunities for clubs and players.

Gusau added that the NFF would keep supporting efforts to improve the standard, visibility, and commercial value of domestic football.

Sadi Semih, Group Chairman of EUROMATCH, said the company sees the three-year agreement as a smart investment in Nigerian football. He expressed commitment to working with the NPFL and other stakeholders.

The NPFL is getting ready for the 2026/27 season while looking to improve the financial and commercial side of domestic football.

The league also plans to boost financial rewards for clubs, with the 2026/27 champions expected to get a record N1 billion prize, according to the National Sports Commission.

Former Super Eagles stars Daniel Amokachi, Samson Siasia, Austin Eguavoen, and Brown Ideye were among the dignitaries present at the announcement of this new partnership.