By Saidu Abubakar
The Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) has secured a major financial and structural boost following the signing of a landmark investment agreement with Toptier Sports Management on Friday, December 19, 2025.
According to a statement e-signed by Samuel Ahmadu, Media Director, Nigeria Women Football League, “the deal unveiled at an epic signing and presentation ceremony held at Fraser Suites, Abuja, on Friday, places Nigerian women’s football at the centre of a ₦20 billion, 10-year private-sector commitment designed to drive long-term growth, sustainability, and professionalisation of the league.
“Under the agreement, the NWFL will initially benefit from a five-year investment deal, renewable upon review, with ₦1 billion committed annually and a guaranteed 15 per cent year-on-year increase. Of this amount, ₦200 million is allocated to league administration, while ₦800 million is dedicated to branding, marketing, and commercial development,” the statement said.
The investment forms part of Toptier Sports Management’s broader 10-year strategic vision to transform the NWFL into a professionally run, commercially viable competition and a leading platform for women’s football development in Africa.
Chief Executive Officer of Toptier Sports Management, Chichi Nwoko, described the agreement as a conscious shift away from short-term interventions towards building enduring football structures.
“This is a long-term investment in structure, people, and possibilities. If women’s football in Nigeria is to truly compete globally, it must be built deliberately, funded properly, and managed professionally. That is what this commitment represents,” Nwoko said.
Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, noted that the partnership reflects growing confidence in the ongoing reforms across Nigerian sports.
“This partnership is a clear vote of confidence in the reforms taking place across Nigerian sports. We are intentional about creating an environment where credible private investors can partner with government to build sustainable leagues, protect athlete welfare, and grow the sports economy,” Olopade stated.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was represented at the ceremony by its Secretary General, Dr Sanusi Mohammed, who conveyed the federation’s endorsement of the partnership on behalf of NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau.
“The NFF welcomes this collaboration because it strengthens our domestic football ecosystem, improves player welfare, enhances club operations, and creates clear development pathways, particularly for women and emerging talents,” Dr Mohammed said.
Reacting after the signing, NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, described the agreement as a defining moment for women’s football in Nigeria, stressing that it enables the league to plan sustainably, strengthen governance, and deliberately grow its commercial value.
“The scale of this investment allows the NWFL to plan sustainably, strengthen governance structures, and deliberately grow the league’s commercial value. The dedicated focus on branding and marketing will significantly enhance visibility, attract new partners, improve broadcast value, and create stronger economic opportunities for our clubs and players, positioning the NWFL among the leading women’s football leagues in Africa,” Shabi said.
