NPFL champions to earn record ₦1bn as NSC unveils sweeping football reforms

Posted : 24 June 2026

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has announced a landmark ₦1 billion prize money for the winners of the 2026/2027 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), alongside a raft of reforms aimed at repositioning Nigerian football.

Dikko disclosed this on Wednesday after a high-level strategic meeting between the NSC and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at the Commission's headquarters in Abuja.

He said the meeting produced far-reaching decisions designed to improve the welfare of players and coaches, strengthen club administration, and enhance the competitiveness of the domestic league.

According to Dikko, the 2026/27 NPFL champions will receive a minimum of ₦1 billion, the highest prize money ever offered in Nigerian domestic football.

He added that the runners-up would receive ₦500 million, while the third-placed club would earn ₦300 million, subject to official confirmation by the league authorities.

"The new prize structure is part of our broader vision to improve the commercial value, professionalism and competitiveness of the NPFL," Dikko said.

He commended NFF President Ibrahim Gusau and the federation's General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, for what he described as a productive engagement focused on the future of Nigerian football.

On the national teams, Dikko revealed that the NSC and NFF had agreed on a new contract framework and enhanced remuneration package for Super Eagles Head Coach Eric Chelle.

He said the package would include improved welfare provisions and performance-based incentives for the coach and his assistants.

Dikko also announced that Chelle would oversee Nigeria's Under-23 national team as part of a long-term strategy to ensure a smooth transition of players into the senior national team ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

"Our objective is to begin preparations now for 2030 by identifying and developing the next generation of players while ensuring Nigeria performs strongly at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and qualifies for future international competitions," he said.

The meeting also reviewed preparations for the Super Falcons ahead of the forthcoming Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with both bodies agreeing to strengthen funding, improve player welfare, and support the team's build-up to the tournament.

The Falcons are expected to begin camping in Nigeria before travelling to Morocco for a series of international friendly matches.

On domestic football administration, the NSC, NFF, and NPFL leadership agreed that clubs must meet maximum club licensing requirements rather than merely satisfying minimum standards.

"Professional football must be run professionally. If strict enforcement means fewer clubs qualify initially, then so be it. What matters is raising standards across the board," Dikko stated.

As part of the reforms, stakeholders also approved a minimum monthly wage of ₦2 million for NPFL players to improve welfare, encourage professionalism, and strengthen the domestic football ecosystem.

Director-General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, described the collaboration between football stakeholders as a significant step towards transforming sports administration in Nigeria.

"Today's meeting reflects our collective determination to build a stronger future for Nigerian football," Olopade said.

NFF President Ibrahim Gusau stressed that collaboration remained essential to achieving the federation's objectives, especially with the Women's Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for July and the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers beginning in September.

He said the meeting provided an opportunity for both organisations to align strategies towards sustaining the growth of Nigerian football.

The sweeping financial incentives and welfare reforms are expected to boost competition among clubs, improve players' welfare, and enhance the commercial appeal of the NPFL.

These landmark decisions mark a significant turning point for the governance and economic sustainability of Nigerian football. By combining substantial financial rewards with structural accountability and enhanced player wages, the NSC and NFF are laying a solid foundation for long-term growth. The coming months will be critical as stakeholders work to implement these sweeping changes ahead of upcoming continental and international assignments.

NPFL champions to earn record ₦1bn as NSC unveils sweeping football reforms

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