By Oscar Chukwugekwu
The Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Football Association (FCT FA), Adam Mohammed, has commended the introduction of N1 billion in prize money for winners of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, who announced a minimum of N1 billion prize for the champions of the 2026/2027 NPFL season, said the runners-up would receive N500 million, while the third-placed team would earn N300 million, subject to official confirmation by league authorities.
He explained that the new prize structure forms part of broader reforms aimed at improving professionalism, commercial value, player welfare, and competitiveness in Nigerian football.
Mohammed described the initiative as a bold step towards repositioning domestic football and attracting greater investment into the league.
He said that the announcement reflected growing commitment to football development in the country.
“Full credit goes to the NSC, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the NPFL for making a statement that matches the scale of our football potential,” he said.
According to him, the N1 billion reward is more than prize money and should serve as a wake-up call for stakeholders to treat football as a serious business.
“A massive incentive is welcome, but it should not be mistaken for a fully functional football system,” Mohammed said.
He said that sustainable progress would depend on improved governance, commercial viability, quality infrastructure, and stronger fan engagement.
“If the league is not commercially viable, properly televised, safe for players, and trusted by fans, the prize money alone will not transform it,” he said.