NPFL: Prize money, trophy worth, highest & lowest salaries

The Euromatch Nigeria Premier Football League (Euromatch NPFL) is widely regarded as one of the toughest leagues in world football, known for its fierce competition and the tough conditions players have to navigate to succeed.

What makes the league especially difficult isn’t just the physical demands, but also how unpredictable it can be, which sets it apart from many others around the world.

In the last ten years, the league has seen a different champion almost every season, showing just how little separates the teams and how competitive the league really is.

Unlike other leagues where a select few clubs consistently dominate the title race, the Euromatch NPFL offers a refreshing sense of randomness.

This dynamic rotation of champions reflects the league’s fiercely competitive nature, creating an exhilarating contest where nearly any team can realistically vie for the title.

Despite facing challenges, particularly with administrative inefficiencies, the NPFL continues to evolve and progress.

With improvements in management and governance, the league has the potential to secure its place among the top five leagues on the African continent.

How much is the NPFL worth?

Determining the exact value of the league is a complex task, primarily due to the fact that seven of the clubs are government-owned, while others still have a level of government influence, and official financial disclosures are often lacking.

However, an estimate can be derived by looking at various factors such as player valuations, ticket sales, salaries, sponsorship deals, and other financial variables.

By evaluating the transfermarket value of players, the league is valued ₦39.4 billion. But when the match day revenues, and the recent €6.46 million sponsorship, and some clubs’ partnerships with some private brands, the NPFL’s overall worth is roughly estimated at ₦48 billion.

Who sponsors the league, and how much do they pay?

The NPFL is currently sponsored by Euromatch, a European sports betting and digital gaming company from Poland.

🚨 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋: The Nigeria Premier Football League has unveiled a new logo after confirming EuroMatch as title sponsor in a three-year deal worth $7.5 million. #NPFL27 pic.twitter.com/6vd0TpsEuL

— Soccernet.ng (@soccernet_ng) August 26, 2026

Last month, the league management announced that Euromatch would be the official league sponsor, and will bring a €6.46 million sponsorship spread through three years. 60% of this money will be spread among the 20 clubs.

Before now, Bet9ja, a leading Nigerian betting company, was a strategic partner, alongside GTI, and were both contributing financially to the league’s growth.

When it comes to match day essentials, the NPFL has partnered with Zenith Sports and ProStar to supply official match balls, ensuring top-quality equipment for every fixture.

How much is the NPFL trophy worth?

According to the league organisers, the NPFL trophy does not carry a bespoke value, meaning no direct monetary value is attached to it.

However, research conducted by Afrik-Foot suggests that the market value of the trophy stands at approximately ₦120,000, which is around $80.

Who currently holds the NPFL trophy?

The trophy currently resides in the cabinet of Enugu Rangers, who had a remarkable and captivating journey to claim the title last season—their second triumph in three years.

They had to defeat Ikorodu City in Lagos on the final day of the 2025/26 season to beat Rivers United to the title by just a single point.

Prize money: How much do NPFL winners earn?

Prize money in the NPFL has fluctuated over the years, with no fixed amount guaranteed each season. During the era of the League Management Company (LMC), the prize money ranged from ₦50 million to ₦75 million.

For the 2023/24 season, Enyimba, the league champions, received ₦100 million. Two seasons ago, Rangers International, who won the league, were awarded ₦150 million. Last season, the NPFL board has announced that the winner of the 2024/25 season will walk away with ₦200 million.

However, in June, the chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko announced that the winners of the NPFL will get a massive ₦1 billion from this season. This is one of the highest prize monies on the African continent.

How much do NPFL players earn?

During the LMC era, a minimum wage of ₦150,000 per month was instituted for NPFL players, a figure that remains in effect today.

🚨 The NSC and NFF approved reforms ahead of the 2026/27 NPFL season:

Champions will now earn ₦1 billion, a significant increase from the previous ₦150–200 million, positioning the NPFL as Africa’s second-highest paying league after South Africa’s Betway Premiership. ✅

✅… pic.twitter.com/5TXxsoIFOs

— Soccernet.ng (@soccernet_ng) June 25, 2026

But in June, just as Shehu Dikko announced the raise in prize money, he announced that no club should pay any player less than ₦2 million monthly. However, given the fact that the league is not lucrative enough, there are doubt that clubs will be able to meet up with that directive.

Who is the lowest paid player in the NPFL?

There is no comprehensive data on the lowest-paid players in the NPFL, but the league’s previous minimum wage of ₦150,000 is often paid to youth players or those in the second team who do not receive significant playing time.

Some clubs even provide stipends of ₦50,000 to ₦80,000 to the families of schoolboy players registered in their squads. Even with Dikko’s recent directive, it is difficult to see how clubs will pay youngsters up to ₦2 million monthly.

Who is the highest paid player in the NPFL?

As of now, there is no confirmed player as the highest earner in the Euromatch NPFL, but there are some top names like Godwin Obaje, Chukwuemeka Obioma, and Stephen Manyo, who have distinguished themselves as the best legs in the league. So one of them could potentially be the highest earner.

Former Remo Stars man Sikiru Alimi was rumoured to be earning a league-high of ₦1.3 million as of two years ago. But with the recent Dikko directive, some of the players mentioned above could be earning way above ₦2 million.

Which club pays the highest bonuses?

In the NPFL, bonuses fluctuate based on performance metrics such as match victories (home or away), goals scored, assists, and draws secured on the road.

Teams like Sporting Lagos, Akwa United, Plateau United, Shooting Stars, and Enyimba are known for offering the most generous bonuses, typically ranging from ₦20,000 to ₦70,000, along with travel allowances.

The NPFL is an evolving league with vast potential. It continues to make strides, serving as a highly competitive stage for Nigerian football.

With the implementation of proper reforms, the league has the capacity to emerge as a significant powerhouse in African football.