Global Football Network Delivers Breakthrough Title Sponsorship For NPFL

Global Football Network Delivers Breakthrough Title Sponsorship For NPFL

By Admin 

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is set to enter a new commercial era following the successful facilitation of a landmark title sponsorship agreement by the World Football Summit (WFS) Ambassador to Africa and Chief Executive Officer of F&A Sporting Management, His Excellency Prince Fred Akhigbe, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The sponsorship agreement, secured through Akhigbe's international network and strategic engagements, is expected to be formally signed in the coming days, marking one of the league's most significant commercial partnerships in recent years.

Speaking from Italy in an interview with WooSports News, Prince Akhigbe described the breakthrough as the result of a commitment to advancing Nigerian football through international collaboration.

According to him, the investment should encourage leading Nigerian corporations to take a more active role in sports development.

"This massive investment by a foreign entity should serve as a wake-up call to renowned organisations like Dangote, BUA and the oil and gas giants," he said. "Nigeria has enormous capital, but many investors remain reluctant to commit to sports because they want to see stronger transparency and governance."

Reflecting on his motivation, Akhigbe said his approach was guided by a personal conviction to prioritise service to Nigerian football.

"The turning point came when I challenged myself to stop asking what Nigerian sport could do for me and instead ask what I could do for Nigerian sport," he said.

As part of that effort, the World Football Summit leadership evaluated the progress of the NPFL under its current Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye. Through Akhigbe, Elegbeleye was invited to participate as a panel speaker at the World Football Summit in Madrid, Spain.

According to Akhigbe, the appearance proved instrumental in raising the profile of Nigerian football among international investors.

"The moment he stepped onto that stage, investors took notice," he said. "They saw leadership, credibility and someone they could trust. That is what attracts investment."

Building on relationships established during the summit, Akhigbe worked with international partners to facilitate the league's new title sponsorship, describing the agreement as evidence of Nigerian football's growing commercial appeal.

"I am proud of what we have achieved," he said. "It demonstrates what is possible when the right stakeholders are connected with the right opportunities."

He also underscored the value of global industry platforms such as the World Football Summit in creating business opportunities within football.

"WFS event tickets are not an expense; they are an investment," Akhigbe said. "The relationships and credibility developed through these engagements are what ultimately create opportunities like this."

The World Football Summit will celebrate its 10th anniversary in Madrid on September 15–16, 2026, bringing together football executives, investors and industry leaders from across the world.

Beyond the sponsorship agreement, Akhigbe believes Nigerian sport is approaching a defining moment. While the country's economy has historically relied heavily on oil, he argues that sport represents an emerging industry capable of generating employment, attracting foreign investment and driving sustainable economic growth.

With a population exceeding 220 million people, a vibrant domestic market and a passionate global diaspora, he said Nigeria possesses the ingredients needed to build a commercially successful sports industry.

"Sport is the new oil well in Nigeria," Akhigbe said. "If we professionalise our structures, strengthen transparency and build investor confidence, we can unlock an industry that creates jobs, attracts foreign capital and becomes self-sustaining rather than depending on government funding."

He added: "We have the population. We have the size. We have the market. What we need now is the determination to harness that potential effectively."