Sports
NNL Strikes Over ₦494M Sponsorship Deal With BetPawa to Transform League
By Joel Ajayi
The Nigeria National League (NNL) has taken a decisive step toward revamping domestic football with the signing of a landmark one-year sponsorship deal worth over ₦494,456,709. million with Africa’s leading sports betting brand, BetPawa.
The partnership, unveiled Wednesday in Abuja under the theme “Investing in the Future of African Sports,” introduces a groundbreaking model that extends beyond traditional funding. At the core of the initiative is the innovative Locker Room Bonus — a reward system designed to directly benefit players after every victory while also boosting club and league revenues.
Under the scheme, 20 registered players and three technical staff per team will share a ₦1.288 million bonus per win, with each player receiving ₦56,000 instantly via a digital platform.
Additionally, the NNL will earn ₦400,000 per match played each weekend, creating a sustainable dual-impact system for both athletes and league administration.
The total package for the deal amounts to ₦494,456,709.
Explaining the innovation, BetPawa’s Head of Local Marketing & CSR, Borah Omary Ndanyungu, said:
“We’re not just handing out cash; we’re building a system that elevates Nigerian football. This platform ensures players are respected and rewarded for their hard work — with no delays, no drama.”
The deal has been widely praised across the football community. Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, hailed the initiative as a game-changer in retaining talent within the domestic league:
“One of my biggest concerns has been keeping our best players in the league. This is the way forward, and it will have a positive impact on the growth of the game in Nigeria.”
NNL Chairman, George Aluo, commended the NFF’s commitment to grassroots football, noting the steady progression of NNL clubs into the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
Also speaking, Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Philip Shaibu, described the deal as a major morale booster:
“This partnership will inspire players to give their best and will have a ricocheting effect on the league and the overall development of the game.”
BetPawa, trusted by millions across 17 African countries, is renowned for its ultra-low minimum stakes, instant payouts, and user-friendly interface. The brand continues to deepen its footprint in African sports, with the NNL partnership marking a bold statement of its commitment to driving football growth in Nigeria.
Beyond betting, BetPawa actively invests in the growth of African sports through sponsorships, infrastructure support, and CSR initiatives, aiming to raise professional standards and empower athletes at all levels.
BetPawa reiterated its broader vision of transforming African sports through innovative sponsorships and corporate social responsibility projects, with the ultimate goal of driving professionalism and sustainable growth across the continent.
Sports
PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Earns World Athletics Label
Nigeria’s foremost Sports Company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) has announced the second edition of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, set to light up Nigeria’s capital city on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
With the theme “Steady Strides,” this year’s race captures the measured rhythm and determined pace that define world-class long-distance running, a reflection of the steady progress and ambitious vision shaping the marathon’s evolution into a global platinum-labelled event.
In a historic milestone for Nigerian sports, the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon has been officially awarded the prestigious World Athletics Label for its second edition, a distinction achieved in record time. This remarkable feat makes it the first marathon globally to earn the label so swiftly, underscoring both the organizational excellence of NSML and the dynamic rise of PremiumTrust Bank, currently celebrated as Nigeria’s fastest-growing commercial bank.
The 2025 edition is expected to attract elite international athletes, top local runners, and marathon enthusiasts from around the world, alongside officials from World Athletics who will oversee the competition.
Speaking on the announcement, Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Yetunde Olopade, expressed excitement about the unique partnership with PremiumTrust Bank.
“This second edition is fundamentally unique because it represents the first-ever true super-partnership on such a dynamic sports property in our nation and arguably, globally. PremiumTrust Bank is not just a sponsor but the sole partner anchoring the establishment, organization, and consolidation of a global marathon in Nigeria’s capital city.
” We are proud and grateful for the bank’s visionary leadership, which not only recognized the immense potential of the first edition but is now single-handedly driving the race toward international acclaim.”
Managing Director of PremiumTrust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim (CON) emphasized the shared values underpinning the partnership.
“PremiumTrust Bank is built on the philosophy of rapid, impactful, and sustainable growth, and the theme of this year’s marathon perfectly reflects our operational ethos.”
“Attaining World Athletics Label status in just the second year validates that our investment is yielding world-class outcomes. We are deeply proud to be the sole partner building this monumental legacy, reinforcing our commitment to sports development, community wellbeing, excellence, and platforms where champions are made.”
The PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon 2025 promises to be a spectacular celebration of endurance, athleticism, and community spirit, further strengthening Abuja’s status on the global racing calendar.
Registration for participants is currently open as it promises to be another marathon spectacle on the 6th of December 2025.
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