It is a new dawn for the Nigeria National League, NNL and Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL, with Toptier Sports Management announcing a groundbreaking ₦40 billion, 10-year investment in both leagues.
The strategic initiative aims to transform Nigeria’s domestic leagues into professionally managed, commercially viable, and globally visible platforms.
Speaking at the official signing ceremony of the contract, the Chief Executive Officer, TOPTIER SPORTS Management, Chichi Nwoko stressed the importance of building lasting systems.
Nwoko said “This is about building systems that will outlive us. ” “If African football is going to command global respect, we must start by strengthening our domestic leagues, especially women’s football and development pathways.”
She noted that the decision to invest in both leagues was borne out of the conviction that the NNL is the most important league, while the women’s football has done so much, despite lacking sponsors.
The NNL is” the link between the elite league and the amateur league, and building a solid foundation for it is critical to our football development.”
She added,” the women have done so well over time, despite not having a sponsor, and it is our conviction that with our modest support, we will transform the women’s league, and women football development generally”.
Nwoko revealed that both the NNL and the NWFL will receive N200m for operational purposes annually, while N800m would be channeled into production, broadcasting and marketing to give the leagues more visibility”
The TOPTIER CEO expressed gratitude to both the NSC DG and the President of the NFF for their support, saying, “we thank them for their stewardship and commitment to opening Nigerian football to transformative private-sector partnerships.”
The Director General, National Sports Commission (NSC) Bukola Olopade said “this ₦40 billion commitment is a clear vote of confidence in the reforms taking place across Nigerian sports.”
He stated “At the Commission, we are intentional about creating an environment where credible private investors can partner with government to build sustainable leagues, protect athletes welfare, and grow the sports economy.”
An excited NFF President, Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, who was represented by the General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi said “the NFF welcomes this collaboration because it strengthens our domestic football ecosystem, improving player welfare, enhancing club operations, and creating clear development pathways, particularly for women and emerging talents. This is how we build a future-ready Nigerian football system.”
On his part, the NNL Chairman, George Aluo was estactic in lauding the latest investment in the NNL, saying it was an endorsement of their efforts at changing the face of the second tier league.
Aluo also commended the leadership of the Football House for their support and confidence reosed in them by extending their tenure to continue the good work they had started.
The NWFL COO, Modupe Shabir was effusive in her commendation of the TOPTIER SPORTS MANAGEMENT for their investment in women football, saying”this is investing in the girl-child, and will go a long way in changing the face of the women league and women football generally in the country. “
The decade-long partnership has garnered significant attention, with stakeholders across the country hailing it as a blueprint for sports investment and development not only in Nigeria but in the continent.
