The Nigerian Football Federation has announced a partnership deal with one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, Zenith Bank. Both parties underscored the significance of the partnership, which focuses on youth development and capacity building for officials, as a landmark event for football in Nigeria.

Speaking at the announcement event, NFF boss, Amaju Pinnick said a credible youth program to identify and nurture the biggest football talent in the country has been developed by the football governing body.

“The impact of our capacity building program for referees has been immediate, with the improvement in the League. Now, it is time for a comprehensive youth development program that will see to the constant feeding of all the National Teams,” Pinnick said.

“We cannot thank Zenith Bank PLC, a financial institution with impeccable records and with a solid reputation, enough for their support for this program. They have indeed opened the way for real development of Nigeria football,” he added in a statement on the NFF website.

However, while the deal is lauded as a landmark moment in Nigerian football, the partnership will not be defined by a lump sum agreement.

“Both the NFF and Zenith Bank have agreed not to put a price tag on this partnership. We will invoice Zenith Bank for the various programs and all these will be captured in our audited account in the annual report. It is a transparent path that we have both chosen, and we believe that this marriage is made in heaven,” Pinnick said.

The deal is a significant coup for the Pinnick led board of the NFF, who came into office promising to deepen ties between Nigerian football and corporate Nigeria.

In addition to supporting the NFF’s youth programs, Zenith Bank has also committed to footing the bill of the salary of the Super Eagles head coach, Sunday Oliseh for a full year.

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