Nigeria’s football authorities have unveiled a series of ambitious reforms aimed at transforming the country’s football landscape, including a proposed ₦2.5 billion prize fund for the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and an expanded role for Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle.
The decisions were reached during a high-level strategic meeting between the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at the NSC headquarters in Abuja. The meeting was led by NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko, Director General Bukola Olopade, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, and other key stakeholders in Nigerian football.
A major highlight of the meeting was the proposed introduction of a ₦2.5 billion prize pool for the 2026/27 NPFL season, a move designed to boost competitiveness and attract greater investment into domestic football. Under the proposal, league champions would receive at least ₦1 billion, while the second and third-placed teams would earn ₦500 million and ₦300 million respectively.
The football authorities also agreed on measures aimed at improving player welfare, strengthening club licensing compliance, restoring television coverage of the domestic league, and creating a more attractive environment for private-sector participation in Nigerian football.
In another significant development, the NSC and NFF agreed to improve the contract terms of Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle as part of broader efforts to strengthen the national team structure. The Malian tactician, who recently guided Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, will also oversee the country’s U-23 national team.
The decision is expected to create continuity between the U-23 squad and the Super Eagles, allowing promising young players to transition more seamlessly into the senior national team setup as preparations begin for future international competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Women’s football also featured prominently in discussions, with both organisations reaffirming their commitment to supporting the Super Falcons as they prepare to defend their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title. Officials pledged to pursue fresh funding initiatives and reforms aimed at accelerating the growth of the women’s game across the country.
