Sports

After ₦494m NNL Sponsorship Shake-up, BetPawa Unveils Tekno as Brand Ambassador

Published

1 year ago

October 2, 2025

Bisi Dare
Africa’s biggest iGaming brand, betPawa, is raising the stakes in Nigeria. Days after announcing a ₦494 million Locker Room Bonus sponsorship for the Nigeria National League (NNL), the company unveiled Afro-pop sensation Tekno as its new brand ambassador at a colourful event in Lagos.

The unveiling highlights betPawa’s strategy of blending football, music, and culture to connect with young Nigerians.

Tekno, one of the country’s most celebrated hitmakers, now becomes the face of Africa’s “home of big winners,” carrying a message that extends beyond gaming into lifestyle and inspiration.

“Tekno represents everything betPawa stands for — energy, creativity, and breaking boundaries,” said Borah Omary Ndanyungu, Head of Local Marketing & CSR at betPawa.

“His music inspires millions, just as football does. This announcement comes on the heels of our ₦494m investment in Nigerian football through the Locker Room Bonus. For us, it’s about rewarding performance on the pitch and creating unforgettable experiences off it.”

Tekno, known for chart-topping singles like Pana and Skeletun, welcomed the partnership: “I’ve always been about pushing limits, from the studio to the stage. That’s why betPawa felt like family. The odds, the payouts, the innovation — it’s a game-changer. And you know me, I’m here for winners only,” he said.

*Locker Room Bonus reshaping football*
The Locker Room Bonus initiative, launched in Abuja earlier this month, guarantees ₦56,000 direct mobile-money payments to 20 players and three technical staff from every winning NNL team — ₦1,288,000 in total per match. With 292 games scheduled, over ₦369m will go directly to players and staff this season. Another ₦100m will support league operations, while ₦8.1m is reserved for end-of-season awards.

For the NNL, the deal is about more than cash; it represents professionalism and transparency. Club officials have already been trained on the Locker Room Bonus platform, which digitises line-up verification and automates payments, ensuring instant rewards for players.

A brand bridging culture and sport

The unveiling of Tekno signals that betPawa is embedding itself in Nigerian culture. From its 1,250% sports win bonus — the highest in Africa — to its exclusive 1M x multiplier on JetX crash games, the company is positioning itself as the “home of big winners.”

But the brand says its mission goes beyond business. “Across Africa, we’ve shown our commitment to grassroots development. Whether through Locker Room Bonuses or supporting local leagues, our focus is on empowering players and fans,” Borah added.

At the Abuja launch, stakeholders urged betPawa to extend support to women’s football and basketball, areas where the company already invests in other African markets. The brand’s track record shows inclusivity, ensuring equal rewards for men’s and women’s leagues where it operates.
By investing in both sport and culture, betPawa is shaping a new model of corporate sponsorship in Nigeria — one that fuels ambition on the pitch, drives creativity in music, and empowers communities.

As Tekno prepares to release new music and the NNL gears up for its November kickoff, the synergy of football and Afro-pop promises to keep Nigeria buzzing. For betPawa, this is just the beginning of a bigger story.

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Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

20 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.

Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.

The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.

“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.

“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”

Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.

He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.

Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.

“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.

He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.

On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.

“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”

“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.

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