Nigeria Premier Football League clubs will receive 60 per cent of the league’s new $7.5m title sponsorship agreement, with the money expected to improve players’ salaries and welfare.
The three-year deal, worth $2.5m per season, was unveiled in Abuja on Wednesday, with EUROMATCH announced as the NPFL’s new title sponsor ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
NPFL Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, disclosed the financial structure of the agreement during the unveiling, explaining that the decision to allocate the larger portion directly to clubs was designed to ensure that the league’s commercial progress benefits players.
“Let me announce to you that the deal is about $2.5m every season from EUROMATCH for three seasons. That is $7.5m,” Elegbeleye said.
“That will help in increasing players’ wages. Of course, we don’t give the money to the clubs ourselves, but 60 per cent goes straight to the clubs. That is the agreement. This must be reflected in the welfare of the footballers.”
The sponsorship represents a significant commercial boost for the domestic league, which has been undergoing reforms aimed at strengthening club finances, improving player welfare, enhancing broadcasting and branding, and increasing the overall commercial value of the competition.
Elegbeleye stressed that players remained the most important part of the league’s commercial strategy, saying the focus should be on promoting footballers rather than 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 said.
The NPFL chairman added that better financial rewards were necessary to improve players’ satisfaction and productivity.
Former Minister of Sports and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, described the sponsorship as an indication that Nigeria’s decision to position sports as a business was beginning to attract major investment.
Dare praised the NPFL for maintaining its reform drive, despite the challenges encountered by the league, clubs, management and ownership structures over the past 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.
He added, “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.
“Seeing this come to life, $7.5m over the next three years is massive. But also, it speaks to the effort we made when we classified sports as a business.”
Dare said the sports-as-business policy was being supported by a 10-year football master plan intended to develop Nigerian football, attract foreign direct investment, strengthen branding and increase the commercial appeal of the sport.
He also said the reforms could contribute to improved performances by Nigeria’s national teams by creating a stronger domestic football structure.
“I think that will also impact what we see in our national teams—the Super Eagles, the Under-20, Under-17 and others,” Dare said.
According to Dare, government funding for sports has also increased considerably, with budgetary allocations rising from N1.9bn to N76bn.
He, however, noted that increased government spending would need to be accompanied by reforms that bring Nigerian sports in line with international standards.
Nigeria Football Federation President, Ibrahim Gusau, described the sponsorship as another major development for Nigerian football, saying it would strengthen the NPFL and provide more opportunities for clubs and players.
Gusau assured that the NFF would continue supporting initiatives aimed at improving the quality, visibility and commercial strength of domestic football.
Group Chairman of EUROMATCH GROUP, Sadi Semih, said the company considered the three-year partnership a strategic investment in Nigerian football.
He said EUROMATCH would work with the NPFL and other stakeholders to ensure that the agreement created sustainable value while improving the league’s international profile.
The partnership comes as the NPFL prepares for the 2026/27 season, with efforts continuing to improve the financial and commercial structure of domestic football.
The league is also set to offer greater financial rewards to participating clubs, with the 2026/27 champions expected to receive a record N1bn prize, according to the National Sports Commission.
Former Super Eagles players Daniel Amokachi, Samson Siasia, Austin Eguavoen and Brown Ideye were among the dignitaries present at the unveiling of the partnership.
