Toptier Sports Management Commits ₦40bn Investment to NWFL and NNL

Toptier Sports Management Commits ₦40bn Investment to NWFL and NNL

By Niyi Busari 

Toptier Sports Management (TSM) has announced a landmark ₦40 billion investment in Nigerian football, targeting the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) and the Nigeria National League (NNL), the country’s second-tier men’s competition.

The investment, which spans a 10-year sponsorship cycle, is aimed at strengthening the financial base, visibility and commercial viability of both leagues.

Speaking on the initiative, TSM founder Chichi Nwoko disclosed that ₦200 million will be disbursed annually to each league body, amounting to ₦400 million per year and a total direct disbursement of ₦4 billion over the sponsorship period on the league bodies while other funds goes payment of Referees indemnity, media, to mention but few.

Beyond direct funding to the leagues, Nwoko explained that TSM plans to invest approximately ₦1 billion annually in the project. Of this amount, ₦800 million will be dedicated to broadcast production, television rights, documentaries and media promotion for both leagues, while ₦200 million each will go to the NWFL and NNL.

“We are motivated to make this significant investment in the two most important developmental leagues in Nigeria—the NWFL and the NNL,” Nwoko said. “Our goal is to strengthen the league bodies and improve the financial capacity of the clubs. This is just the beginning, as more investment opportunities will follow.”

Under the agreement, the first tranche of funding will see ₦200 million released to the NWFL and another ₦200 million to the NNL in the first year.

Nwoko added that the initiative is designed to open the door for further private-sector investment, improve league visibility and ensure timely payment of referees’ indemnities and other operational obligations.

Reacting to the development, NNL Chairman George Aluo expressed appreciation to TSM founder Chichi Nwoko and the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, describing the investment as timely.

“This support has come at a critical moment when both leagues are in urgent need of financial backing to grow and become more stable,” Aluo said.

Similarly, Modupe Shabi, Chief Operating Officer of the NWFL, welcomed the intervention, describing it as a major boost for women’s football in Nigeria. She assured stakeholders that the funds would be judiciously utilised to support the growth and professionalisation of the women’s league.