NPFL champions to earn ₦1bn as football authorities unveil major reforms

The winners of the 2026/2027 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season will receive a minimum prize money of ₦1 billion under a new incentive package unveiled by football authorities to boost the domestic game.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko , announced the development on Tuesday after a high-level strategic meeting between the NSC and the at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Dikko said the meeting produced several far-reaching decisions aimed at improving the welfare of players and coaches, strengthening club football, and enhancing the competitiveness of the NPFL.

According to him, the league runners-up will receive ₦500 million, while the third-placed club will earn ₦300 million, subject to final confirmation by league authorities.

He described the enhanced prize structure as part of efforts to increase the commercial appeal, professionalism and overall quality of Nigeria’s top-flight league.

“A major highlight of the meeting was the agreement that the champions of the 2026/27 NPFL season will receive a minimum prize money of ₦1 billion,” Dikko said.

He commended NFF President and the federation’s General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, for what he described as productive discussions focused on the future of Nigerian football.

The meeting also reviewed the state of the national teams, particularly the Super Eagles, with Dikko revealing that a new contract framework and improved remuneration package had been agreed for Head Coach .

He disclosed that the NFF would finalise the relevant documentation, while welfare packages and performance-based incentives would also be introduced for members of the coaching crew.

In a move aimed at strengthening long-term player development, Dikko announced that Chelle would also oversee the country’s Under-23 national team, the Dream Team.

He explained that the arrangement would create a seamless pathway for talented young players to progress into the senior national team, while additional technical personnel would be engaged whenever fixtures overlap.

“Our objective is to begin preparations now for the 2030 FIFA World Cup by identifying and developing the next generation of players. We also want Nigeria to perform strongly at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and qualify for future international competitions,” he said.

The NSC and NFF also reviewed preparations for the Super Falcons ahead of the forthcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), agreeing on measures to improve funding, player welfare and technical support.

Under the plans, the Super Falcons will begin camping in Nigeria before travelling to Morocco for international friendly matches ahead of the tournament.

The meeting further resolved that club licensing regulations should be strictly enforced, with stakeholders insisting that clubs must meet maximum professional standards rather than merely satisfying minimum requirements.

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

Director-General of the NSC, , said the collaboration between the commission and football stakeholders reflected a shared commitment to repositioning the sport.

NFF President Gusau also underscored the importance of cooperation among stakeholders, particularly with the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for July and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers set to begin in September.

“Whatever we intend to achieve in Nigerian football requires collaboration, and today’s meeting was both timely and productive,” he said.

In another major development, stakeholders agreed to introduce a minimum monthly wage of ₦2 million for NPFL players as part of efforts to improve welfare, encourage professionalism and strengthen the domestic football ecosystem.

Football administrators believe the enhanced prize money and welfare reforms will stimulate greater competition among clubs while increasing the attractiveness and commercial value of Nigerian football.