NFF lands record over 11 billion naira-per-year kits deal

The Nigeria Football Federation has secured what it describes as the biggest kit sponsorship agreement in African football, signing an $8.5 million (Over 11 billion naira) annual deal with Adidas that ends its long-standing partnership with Nike.

Outgoing NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau announced the landmark agreement during his resignation press conference in Abuja on Thursday, presenting the sponsorship as one of the administration's biggest commercial achievements before leaving office.

The new partnership will increase the federation's annual revenue while providing additional benefits through merchandise sales and equipment supplies for Nigeria's national teams.

Under the agreement, Adidas will provide the NFF with a package valued at $8.5 million every year, made up of $4.5 million in cash annually and $4 million worth of kits and equipment annually.

According to Gusau, the combined package makes it the largest kit sponsorship deal on the African continent.

The agreement will cover Nigeria's various national teams, including the Super Eagles, Super Falcons and youth teams.

The deal also brings an end to the federation's long-running relationship with Nike, a partnership that produced some of the most celebrated football jerseys in recent years.

Gusau explained that negotiations with Nike failed to produce improved financial terms, making a new partnership necessary.

He argued that the previous contract had become increasingly difficult to sustain because of Nigeria's changing economic realities.

“The previous deal became inadequate because of the depreciation of the naira and rising operational costs,” he explained.

Beyond the headline sponsorship figures, the agreement includes an important commercial incentive. The NFF will receive a 20 per cent royalty on official Adidas merchandise sold through the company's Nigerian retail network.