Today is a proud moment for me, and I want to begin personally. I am here as a business leader and investor, but also as a mother of two boys whose lives revolve around football.
My sons have played for Little Tigers, Clique Sports, and Island Stars. They have trained on different pitches, in different neighbourhoods, under different coaches, experiencing firsthand the promise and the gaps within our football system.
In our home, football is constant.
Every open space becomes a pitch.
Every round object becomes a ball.
And I am constantly negotiating the safety of my furniture,
my walls, and many windows.
Nnanna supports Real Madrid and idolises Mbappé.
Nnamdi is loyal to Barcelona and swears by Messi.
Yet the player they admire most, the one they return to
again and again is Jay-Jay Okocha.
That detail matters.
They recognise global footbal because it is visible, accessible, and consistently presented. They connect emotionally with Nigerian greatness because it is authentic and unforgettable.
But our local leagues exist in a quieter space rich in talent, limited in exposure, and underdeveloped in structure.
As a parent, and as someone deeply invested in this industry,
that reality raises serious questions.
What systems are we building?
What pathways are we protecting?
What platforms are we creating for talent to grow, be seen,
and progress?
Those questions are not theoretical for me. They are the
foundation of why Toptier Sports Management exists.
The company was born out of a desire to tell stronger sports
stories stories that reflect the depth and quality of African
talent. But along the way, we reached an important
conclusion.
Compelling stories cannot exist without strong ecosystems.
Visibility cannot exist without structure.
Sustainable success cannot exist without long-term thinking.
That realisation forced a shift. Rather than remain observers of the game, we chose to become participants in its development. We stepped back to examine how impact is truly created– not at the surface, but within the system itself.
That thinking brings us here today.
We are announcing a N40 billion commitment over the next
10 years into the Nigeria Women’s Football League and the
Nigeria National League.
These leagues were selected with intention.
The NNL sits at the heart of the football pyramid, shaping
players at the most critical stage of their development.
The NWFL represents one of the most under-leveraged
opportunities in African sport a league filled with elite
athletes, global relevance, and clear commercial potential.
Strengthening these two leagues strengthens the entire
ecosystem.
A central element of this investment is visibility.
access for fans, Growth in modern sport is driven by access
for sponsors, for players, and for the market at large.
When leagues are consistently seen, value follows.
That is why both leagues will now benefit from professional
television production, delivered by our sister company
33 Production.
This brings multi-camera coverage,
broadcast-grade Team, storytelling, and reliable distribution,
ensuring that Nigerian football is presented with the quality and
consistency it deserves, both locally and internationally.
This investment also comes with standards.
Clear milestones.Transparent governance.
Professional benchmarks.
These elements are essential for long-term credibility and
commercial confidence. Leagues that grow in value do sO
because they are disciplined, accountable, and well-managed.
I would like to acknowledge leadership that understands this
moment. My thanks to the Director General of the National Sports
Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade for supporting a
framework where private capital can partner meaningfully
with public institutions.
And to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation,
Alafor the continued commitment to reform and collaboration within Nigerian football.
Progress happens when leadership aligns around shared
outcomes.
To the players across the NWFL and NNL, this commitment
reflects confidence in your talent and your future.
To the coaches, referees, administrators, and club owners, it
recognizes the work you have sustained under difficult
conditions.
To young players watching from the sidelines,
it creates clearer path forward.
As a mother, this moment carries weight.
When my sons ask whether Nigerian football can truly thrive,
the answer now rests on action, consistency, ? and commitment
not optimism alone.
Our objective is clear:
Leagues that are visible.
Clubs that are stable.
Players who are protected and valued.
Fans who are engaged and proud.
An ecosystem that reflects Nigeria’s position as a football
nation.
This marks the beginning of a focused, deliberate decade of
work. And we are committed to doing that work- professionally,
collaboratively, and with purpose.
Thank you for your time.
Thank you for your trust.
And thank you for joining us at the start of a new chapter
for Nigerian football.
