Nigeria Seals Record $8.5m Annual Kit Partnership with Adidas

Nigeria’s football governing body has secured a new kit sponsorship agreement with Adidas valued at $8.5 million annually, bringing an end to its 11-year partnership with Nike.

The deal, described by the Nigeria Football Federation as the largest kit sponsorship arrangement currently secured by an African football nation, includes $4.5 million in cash payments each year and an additional $4 million worth of sports equipment for the country’s national teams.

Speaking in Abuja, former NFF President Ibrahim Gusau said the agreement had already been signed and would significantly improve the federation’s financial position. He noted that the contract also grants the NFF a 20 per cent share of merchandise sales, creating opportunities for additional revenue beyond the guaranteed annual package.

According to Gusau, the federation sought a new arrangement after finding the existing Nike contract, signed in 2015, no longer adequate to meet the growing needs of Nigeria’s various national teams. He explained that the previous deal provided limited financial support and equipment, forcing the federation to purchase additional kits for some competitions.

The NFF reportedly began discussions with Nike over improved terms in 2024 but later explored offers from other manufacturers when negotiations failed to produce a satisfactory outcome. Adidas eventually emerged with the most attractive proposal, while Nike was unable to match the offer despite having the option to do so.

Adidas has a long history with Nigerian football, having supplied kits during some of the country’s most successful periods, including the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations triumph and the 2013 AFCON-winning campaign. Nike took over the partnership in 2015 and produced several popular designs, notably the Super Eagles’ widely acclaimed 2018 World Cup jersey.

Gusau also highlighted Adidas’ stronger retail presence in Nigeria as a key advantage, noting that wider product availability could increase merchandise sales and boost royalty earnings for the federation.

The former NFF boss added that the improved financial package would provide greater flexibility for the federation in funding national team programmes and attracting top-level coaching talent for both the Super Eagles and Super Falcons.