The Nationwide League One has announced a deal worth a staggering sum of N964 million as a sponsorship deal with New Year Mega Lottery.

This sponsorship will make New Year Mega Lottery the official Title Sponsor of the third-tier domestic football league in Nigeria for the next four seasons.

The NLO signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) with New Year Mega Lottery at a special signing and unveiling event held at the Harris Hotel, Wuye in Abuja on Thursday, March 14th, in Abuja.

The announcement was made by the former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State now NLO Chairman, His Excellency Silas Agara, during the unveiling of New Year Mega Lottery to the media.

Agara provided a detailed breakdown of the sponsorship deal, stating that the Nigerian licensed lottery company will provide an annual payment of 241 Million Naira in cash and value in kind, totalling a sum of N964,000,000 Naira for the four seasons of the sponsorship deal.

“New Year Mega Lottery is a Nigerian firm and lottery company licensed by the Nigeria Lottery Commission; they will be our Title Sponsor for the NLO.

“The sponsorship deal will run for four seasons and of Two Hundred And Forty-One Million Naira (N241, 000, 000) annually (both Cash and Value in kind). With the annual payment totalling the sum of N964, 000, 000, 00 (Nine Hundred And Sixty-Four Million Naira).

“This sponsorship recognises NLO not just as a football body but also acknowledges our position as the league with the single-biggest football talent base in Africa.”

The collaboration between the Nationwide League One and New Year Mega Lottery is intended to effectively promote and elevate the status of grassroots football in the country, aiming to establish it as a prominent Nigerian spectacle and one of the most flourishing and appealing leagues on the continent.

In her address during the epoch-making occasion the representative of New Year Mega Lottery, Ms. Obiorah Emmanuella, Head of Corporate Communications, said it was the firm passion for football and humanitarian commitments that have compelled them to sponsor the NLO.

She also canvassed for the support of other well-meaning Nigerians to ensure grassroots football continues to flourish.

She said: “We are thrilled to enter this sponsorship deal with the Nationwide League One (NLO) and engage a large audience through our brand. It is for the love of soccer and a prioritized social responsibility in line with our humanitarian commitments, that prompted us to sponsor the NLO.

“Through this collaboration, we are also excited to connect with the future generation of football athletes at the grassroots level across Nigeria and help them grow. The company’s strong commitment to nurturing and empowering talents, fostering opportunities, and gratifying fans within its market are among the primary motivations for aligning with the NLO.

“I want to use this medium to urge other well-meaning Nigerians to get involved in the development of these laudable sports to enable the country to attain its expected height in world football,” she said.

By sponsoring the NLO until 2027, New Year Mega Lottery is building on its rich history as a frontline provider of job creation and empowerment through sports and education in Nigeria.