Sports

NPFL Referees to enjoy 30% hike in Allowance

Published

3 years ago

September 1, 2023

…₦150m for Season’s Winners

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and it’s strategic partners, GTI Assets Management on Friday approved a 30% increase in the indemnity payable to Match Commissioners and Referees that will officiate in the 2023/24 season of the NPFL.

The partners also agreed to raise the prize winning money from the ₦100m paid last season to ₦150m.

Chairman of the NPFL, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye broke the cheering news to NPFL Media, explaining that the consideration for the increase was based on the general increase in cost of transportation all over the country.

“We are not unaware of the impact of the fuel subsidy removal on transportation and raising the allowance of the Match Officials is the right thing to do”, the League boss explained.

He further disclosed that the increase in the prize money for winners is consistent with pronouncements made at the end of last season, adding, “there will continue to be a progressional raise in the prize money to reflect the financial growth we are working to achieve”.

In a related development, Elegbeleye disclosed that the 20 participating clubs would in no distant time be paid some money as incentive to run their clubs.

“Last season, the clubs received ₦10m each and we are determined to support the clubs again this season with a yet to be disclosed amount of money”, concluded the League helmsman who also is the 2nd Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The new season has been slated to start on Saturday, September 9 with a flag off fixture between Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and Plateau United at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, Ibadan

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Sports

NSC, NCC Enter Bold Alliance to Make Nigeria E-Sports Capital – From Stadium to Server

Published

7 hours ago

April 17, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The National Sports Commission (NSC) is taking Nigerian sports beyond the track and pitch into the digital arena.

In a move that could redefine the future of sports development in the country, NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, on Thursday led a high-powered delegation on a strategic working visit to the Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Hon. Idris Olorunbe.

The meeting aimed at forging a groundbreaking partnership to accelerate sports digitalisation and position Nigerian e-sports on par with global standards.

During the meeting, Hon. Olopade made it clear that the NSC is ready to embrace technology as a core driver of growth.

“Our intention is to work closely with the Nigerian Communications Commission to improve sports science, especially e-sports, through viable sponsorship. We are counting on the NCC to help deepen connectivity and attract the kind of corporate backing that modern sports demand.”
He further emphasized the need for private sector involvement.

“Corporate Social Responsibility must play a stronger role in sports development. We cannot build a 21st-century sports ecosystem without the tech and telecommunications sectors at the table. With strong cohesion between the NSC and NCC, there will be measurable improvement in sports sponsorship and digital infrastructure.”

“The NCC has a critical role to play in making e-sports work in Nigeria. From internet speed to gaming infrastructure, their support is essential if we want our athletes to compete and win on the global stage,” the DG added.

NCC Chairman, Hon. Idris Olorunbe, responded with a strong statement that set the tone for what could become a landmark partnership:“Everything that can be done in traditional sports can also be done in e-sports. The question is not if we will do it, but how we are going to do it.”

He also highlighted the economic potential of the collaboration.

“There is huge economic value attached to this synergy. What we are trying to build goes beyond sports, it touches youth employment, digital innovation, and national branding. It is commendable that the DG has taken this step.”

Hon. Olorunbe further stressed the shared national objective driving both agencies.“The essence of this collaboration is to make our country better. For the sake of our e-sports athletes, we must build gaming hubs. We must create the environment, bandwidth, and policies that allow Nigerian talent to thrive.”

Both parties agreed to establish a joint technical working group to develop a roadmap for sports digitalisation, e-sports league structuring, and a national framework for attracting sponsors into the digital sports ecosystem.

The NSC–NCC alliance marks a significant step, potentially the first formal collaboration between Nigeria’s sports and communications regulators to build a sustainable digital sports economy.

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