Nigeria’s club football league (NPFL) promoters have shocked the league with a massive hike in prize money for the 26/27 season.

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has announced a record rise in prize money, with the champions set to pocket a stunning ₦1 billion in a move aimed at increasing the competiveness and commercial appeal of the country’s top-flight division.

The new arrangement will see league winners taking home N1 billion, five times the N200 million that was formerly given to the victors. The second place will get ₦500 million and the third place will take home ₦300 million.

The increase in the prize pool is one of the biggest financial injections in the history of the NPFL and will provide clubs more resources to improve infrastructure, player welfare and competitiveness.

The rise comes at a time when attempts are still being made to improve the image of the league and bring increased investment to Nigerian football.

League officials have consistently called for the need to build a more sustainable and financially successful local competition that can produce talents that can compete on the continental and global stages.

The ₦1 billion prize money for the winners is a new high for prize money in Nigerian club football and reflects the increased appetite to take the NPFL to greater heights.

Now big-money incentives are on offer, clubs across the country are expected to up their ante as they chase domestic glory in what promises to be a more competitive period for the Nigeria Premier Football League.