By Ayomide Otitoju
Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs will receive 60 per cent of the league’s new $7.5 million title sponsorship deal with EUROMATCH, with the funds expected to improve players’ wages and welfare.
The three-year agreement, worth $2.5 million per season, was unveiled in Abuja on Wednesday, with EUROMATCH named the NPFL’s new title sponsor ahead of the 2026/27 season.
NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye disclosed the financial terms at the unveiling, saying the decision to allocate the larger share of the sponsorship revenue to clubs was aimed at ensuring that the league’s commercial growth translates into improved conditions for players.
“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 per cent goes straight to the clubs. That is the agreement. This must be reflected in the welfare of the footballers.”
He said the league’s commercial strategy was focused on making players the central attraction of the competition, rather than its administrators.
“In football and in sport generally, the athletes and the players are the attractions, not the administrators,” he said.
“Let our players shine. Let the world know them. Let our league be known.”
Elegbeleye added that improved earnings were essential to boosting players’ morale, welfare and productivity.
Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, described the agreement as evidence that Nigeria’s decision to treat sports as a business was beginning to attract major investment.
Dare commended the NPFL and its stakeholders for sustaining reforms aimed at improving club finances, ownership structures, management and the commercial value of the league.
“Seeing this come to life, $7.5 million over the next three years is massive. But also, it speaks to the effort we made when we classified sports as a business,” he said.
He said the sports-as-business policy had been complemented by a 10-year football master plan designed to develop Nigerian football, attract foreign investment, strengthen branding and improve the sport’s commercial appeal.
Dare also linked the reforms to Nigeria’s improved standing in African football, saying they could eventually benefit the country’s national teams.
He noted that government funding for sports had increased from ₦1.9 billion to ₦76 billion, but stressed that increased public investment must be accompanied by reforms that bring Nigerian sports in line with international standards.
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau described the agreement as a major boost for domestic football, saying it would strengthen the NPFL and create more opportunities for clubs and players.
EUROMATCH Group Chairman Sadi Semih said the company viewed the three-year partnership as a strategic investment in Nigerian football and pledged to work with the NPFL and other stakeholders to deliver sustainable value and improve the league’s international visibility.
The sponsorship comes as the NPFL prepares for the 2026/27 season amid efforts to strengthen the financial and commercial foundation of domestic football.
The league is also expected to increase its financial rewards, with the 2026/27 champions set to receive a record ₦1 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 who attended the unveiling.
