By Andrew Abah
The Package B Indoor Sports Hall of Moshood Abiola National Stadium will be agog as top class volleyballers take to the courts where the CGC Nigeria Volleyball Premiership 2025 officially serves off with 24 clubs competing for honours. The competition runs from September 20 through October 2 in Abuja.
Nkechi Nzogwu, Chairman of the League Management Committee and Second Vice President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) made this disclosure in Abuja when she expressed confidence that this year’s edition will surpass previous editions.
“This year’s Premier League is going to be unique and very exciting. We sincerely appreciate the Comptroller-General of Customs for sustaining his sponsorship. He supported us last year and has repeated it this year to put smiles in the faces of our players,” Nzogwu said.
Samuel Onikeku, Director of Sports, Nigeria Customs who represented the Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR), reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to sports development.
Onikeku revealed the increased financial support for participating teams and players in the 2025 edition. Last year, the champions received ₦5 million, while the second and third-placed teams went home with ₦3 million and ₦2 million respectively. Teams ranked 4th to 12th earned ₦500,000 each.
For this year’s competition Onikeku said teams subsidies have been raised from ₦300,000 to ₦500,000, while players subsidies have also been increased to ₦500,000 each.
A total of ₦24 million has been allocated for the first phase of subsidies, with the same package to follow in the final phase, it was further revealed.
“The Comptroller-General’s vision is to encourage the growth of volleyball and Nigerian sports generally. His support goes beyond financial contributions; it is about ensuring that players are motivated and rewarded for their efforts.
“Last year, the African Clubs Championship was hosted in Nigeria for the very first time under his leadership, proving that the country is capable of staging international tournaments successfully,” Onikeku noted.
Dignitaries at the press conference included Professor Ebenezer Morakinyo (NVBF Board Member), Martin Melandi (Technical Director), Prince Tunde Omisore (Board Member), and Wosilat Abbas (Secretary-General).
The CGC Nigeria Volleyball Premiership has grown into one of the most prestigious volleyball competitions in Africa, with the Nigeria Customs Service playing a pivotal role in raising its profile. The 2025 edition promises not only thrilling matches but also improved welfare for players and teams.
