GTI Group, strategic partner to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), has called on corporate organisations and individuals to invest in the domestic league as it intensifies efforts to reposition it as one of Africa’s leading football competitions.

The Group’s Managing Director, Mr Abubakar Lawal, made the call at a media conference held at the company’s corporate headquarters on Lagos Island on Thursday to herald the commencement of the 2026/2027 Euromatch Nigeria Premier Football League season.

Lawal noted that the signing of Euromatch as the NPFL’s new title sponsor, under a $7.5 million deal, represented a major milestone for the league and the first major title sponsorship of its kind since Globacom withdrew from the competition 15 years ago.

He urged more Nigerian businesses to take advantage of the growing commercial prospects within the domestic league and join the transformation being championed by GTI Group.

“Let me use this golden opportunity to welcome Euromatch to the Nigeria Premier Football League. Your decision to invest in the NPFL is a strong vote of confidence in Nigerian football and in the enormous opportunities that exist within our domestic sports ecosystem and the economy at large.

“We are particularly delighted that Euromatch has chosen to become part of the NPFL journey at this defining moment. Your arrival represents not merely a commercial partnership, but a statement that our elite league has the potential to become one of the most compelling football properties on the African continent,” Lawal said.

The event was attended by senior members of the GTI Group management team, including Mr Mitchell Obi, Executive Vice Chairman, Mastersports International Limited, and Mr Kunle Solaja, publisher of Sports Village Square, among other media stakeholders.

Since GTI Group entered into a strategic partnership with the NPFL in 2022, the company has played a significant role in efforts to improve the league’s commercial fortunes and overall profile.

According to Lawal, the NPFL’s current ranking as the fifth-best league in Africa reflects the quality, competitiveness and growing stature of Nigeria’s top-flight domestic competition.

He, however, stressed that the ranking should serve as a springboard for greater ambition rather than a reason for complacency.

“The NPFL is currently ranked fifth in Africa by FIFA, a position that reflects the quality, competitiveness and growing stature of our elite domestic competition. But we must not be satisfied with fifth place.

“Our ambition must be to build an NPFL that competes among the very best leagues in Africa and, ultimately, becomes a globally recognised football brand. Therefore, we are delighted to have Euromatch with us at this time,” he said.

With the entry of Euromatch providing fresh financial impetus to the league, Lawal urged more businesses within and outside Nigeria to identify with the NPFL and contribute to its continued growth.

“I would therefore like to use this opportunity to make a passionate appeal to corporate Nigeria and to businesses beyond our shores to come and invest in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

“The NPFL offers enormous possibilities for companies seeking visibility, brand engagement, community impact and long-term commercial opportunities. Our football clubs are spread across the country, giving sponsors an unparalleled opportunity to connect with diverse communities and millions of passionate consumers,” he said.

Beyond the commercial benefits, Lawal said investment in the NPFL would also contribute to youth development, employment generation, entertainment, grassroots football and the future of the national team.

“But beyond commercial returns, investing in the NPFL is an investment in our young people. It is an investment in talent development, employment, entertainment, grassroots football and the future of the Super Eagles.

“At GTI Group, our strategic partnership with the NPFL is driven by the belief that Nigerian football can become a powerful economic and social enterprise as we make efforts to put the right structures, investment and professionalism together,” he added.

Lawal also emphasised the need for collective responsibility among stakeholders, noting that the government, club owners, Nigeria Football Federation, media, fans and private sector all have important roles to play in building a sustainable football ecosystem.

“We believe the time has come for more stakeholders to join this journey. Government has a role. Club owners have a role. The Nigeria Football Federation has a role. The media has a role. Fans have a role. And, perhaps most importantly, the private sector has a major role to play.

“Today, Euromatch has demonstrated what is possible when corporate vision meets sporting potential.”

He concluded: “The future of the NPFL is bright. The opportunity is enormous. The time to invest is now.”