About Author
Lastest News Nigeria, Politics, Business, Sport, Interview
Lastest News Nigeria, Politics, Business, Sport, Interview
The winners of the next Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season will receive a minimum prize of ₦1 billion following a landmark decision aimed at transforming domestic football in Nigeria.
The announcement was made in Abuja by Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), after a strategic meeting with senior officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Under the new structure, the champions of the 2026/27 NPFL season will earn at least ₦1 billion, a dramatic increase from the previous ₦200 million awarded to league winners. The proposed reward package also allocates ₦500 million to the second-placed team and ₦300 million to the club that finishes third, subject to final approval by league authorities.
In another major development, stakeholders agreed to introduce a ₦2 million minimum wage for NPFL players. The move is expected to significantly improve player welfare and raise professional standards across the league.
According to Dikko, the enhanced NPFL prize money and improved salary structure form part of wider reforms designed to boost the league’s commercial value, competitiveness and overall appeal.
He praised NFF President Ibrahim Gusau and the federation’s General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, for their commitment to advancing Nigerian football. Dikko described the discussions as productive and focused on creating a stronger future for the sport.
The stakeholders also agreed to tighten club licensing regulations. Rather than merely meeting basic requirements, clubs will now be expected to satisfy higher operational and administrative standards.
The new initiatives are widely seen as a major step towards strengthening the Nigeria Premier Football League, attracting greater investment and improving the quality of football in the country.
With the introduction of the ₦2 million minimum wage for NPFL players and the substantial increase in NPFL prize money, officials believe the league is entering a new era of professionalism and growth.
