Nigerian football is set for a dramatic financial overhaul. Starting from the 2026/27 season, the champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) will collect a record prize of N1 billion, with runners-up receiving N500 million and the third-placed club taking home N300 million.

Alhaji Shehu Dikko, Executive Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), announced the figures after a high-level meeting between the NSC and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) held on Tuesday at NSC Headquarters in Abuja.

The announcement marks a significant step up from the current arrangement. For the first time in NPFL history, the 2025/26 league champions received N200 million — a figure that will be dwarfed by the new structure set to take effect next season.

A N2.5 billion prize pool

Dikko, a former Chairman of the League Management Company — the body that later became the NPFL — revealed that total prize money across all finishing positions will reach N2.5 billion for the 2026/27 campaign. Every participating club will receive graded prize money according to their final league position.

"The initiative is designed to encourage greater professionalism among clubs and strengthen sponsorship opportunities for the country's elite football league," Dikko said. Beyond prize money, the NSC boss confirmed that a minimum player salary of N2 million per month is being targeted, though he acknowledged it may not be enforced in the immediate coming season.

Stricter club licensing on the horizon

The meeting also agreed to tighten enforcement of Nigeria's club licensing regulations. Clubs must meet six criteria — sporting, infrastructure, personnel, legal, financial, and business development — before receiving a licence to compete.

"If only ten clubs are qualified to play in the league, so be it," Dikko said, underlining the NSC's determination to raise standards regardless of the consequences for the number of competing sides.

NPFL set to return to television

Stakeholders also resolved to bring the NPFL back to television screens nationwide. Dikko confirmed that a dedicated budget line within the NSC exists to support broadcast production, and that the commission intends to control content creation to deliver a quality product to broadcasters.

Eric Chelle receives improved terms

Ahead of the broader meeting, stakeholders sat down with Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle and agreed on enhanced contractual terms for him and his technical crew. The NSC will increase Chelle's remuneration package and take over responsibility for his support staff.

Significantly, Chelle and his staff will also assume charge of the Nigeria U-23 national team, with the long-term goal of building a squad capable of performing at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, the 2028 Olympic Games, and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Women's football included in the plans

The financial boost will extend to the women's game. The NSC Chairman confirmed that the commission will back the Super Falcons in their bid to retain the WAFCON title, and that a joint NSC-NFF fundraising committee has been established to support women's football. Further decisions on the women's league are expected at subsequent stakeholder meetings.

The Abuja meeting was attended by NSC Director-General Hon. Bukola Olopade, NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, league representative Nasiru Saidu, and NSC Chairman's Special Adviser and former NFF General Secretary Barr. Musa Amadu.