GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited has set an ambitious target of attracting at least $20 million in additional commercial partnerships for the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) by the end of next year, as efforts intensify to transform the domestic competition into a more valuable sporting asset.
Executive Director of GTI Asset Management and Trust, Nelson Ine, disclosed the target at the EuroMatch NPFL 2026/27 news conference in Lagos. The announcement follows EuroMatch’s recently signed $7.5 million three-year title sponsorship agreement with the NPFL, worth $2.5 million annually.
Ine described the deal as an important validation of efforts to reposition the NPFL and attract greater private-sector investment. He stressed that the title sponsorship was only the beginning, with GTI expecting additional partners to join the league’s commercial structure.
According to him, GTI has created different partnership categories, including title, official, associate and regional sponsorship opportunities, designed to give more companies access to the league.
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However, Ine noted that increased commercial investment must be supported by reforms in key areas such as club licensing, infrastructure, broadcasting, financial reporting, data management and communication. He emphasised that securing funding would not be enough unless the resources were properly managed and translated into value.
GTI, which became the NPFL’s strategic partner in 2022, also revealed plans to attract N50 billion in funding and develop the league into an asset worth at least N200 billion within five years. The proposed investment is expected to support infrastructure improvements, better broadcast production and increased earnings for players.
The company also pointed to the growth in privately owned NPFL clubs, which has increased from two in the 2022/23 season to seven in the ongoing campaign.
Group Managing Director of GTI, Abubakar Lawal, described the EuroMatch partnership as historic and urged more Nigerian businesses to invest in football.
Lawal also said the NPFL’s reported rise to fifth position among Africa’s domestic leagues demonstrates its growing potential and called for collective efforts to move the competition higher.
