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NWFL Secures ₦20bn Landmark Investment Deal with Toptier Sports Management

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NWFL Secures ₦20bn Landmark Investment Deal with Toptier Sports Management

The Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) has received a major financial and structural boost following the signing of a landmark investment agreement with Toptier Sports Management on Friday, December 19, 2025.

The deal, unveiled at a signing and presentation ceremony held at Fraser Suites, Abuja, places Nigerian women’s football at the centre of a ₦20 billion, 10-year private-sector commitment aimed at driving 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 the yearly investment, ₦200 million will be allocated to league administration, while ₦800 million is dedicated to branding, marketing, and commercial development.

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.

Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer of Toptier Sports Management, Chichi Nwoko, described the agreement as a deliberate shift from short-term interventions to sustainable 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 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 Musa 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.

“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.

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Samuel Ahmadu
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.