Aiteo Group, a leading energy firm in Nigeria, has announced a sponsorship package worth N2.8 billion with the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, the supreme organisation body for football in the West African country.
In a press conference at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos, Aiteo unveiled the 5-year deal which kicks off on May 1, 2017 and is valued at N500 million annually with an initial one-year renewal option.
The deal, brokered by Mediterranean, is the first of its kind in Nigeria and represents a turning point in corporate social responsibility investment in the development of local football in Nigeria.
“Aiteo Group’s overarching social responsibility objectives are to encourage a positive impact, through our activities, on the society-at-large and has successfully done for several years,” Ndiana-Abasi Matthew, a senior manager responsibility for corporate communication at Aiteo Group told The Trent’s reporter who attended the event held on Wednesday, April 26, 2017.
“Football brings joy to the lives of Nigerians and each moment celebrated by families in their living rooms over a goal scored or friends catching up on highlights of a well taken free-kick by their local heroes leaves an edible mark with memories for a lifetime,” he continued.
With this landmark deal, the energy giant will be referred to as the “Official Optimum Partner of the NFF”. The sponsorship package also grants exclusive rights to Aiteo Group and will cover all local and foreign components of the NFF’s financial obligations for the main team.
Over the past 40 years, Nigerian football has marched steadily into global consciousness and reckoning, winning the Olympic men’s football gold, silver and bronze, featuring in 5 editions of the FIFA World Cup, winning 3 Africa Cup Of Nations titles and lifting 8 out of 10 Africa Women Cup Of Nations titles, a joint statement by the two organisations said.
“This is a long-awaited injection of funds the NFF has earnestly yearned for. We are convinced that we are turning a new chapter in Nigerian football with this agreement in place,” Mr. Matthew said. “As Aiteo Group is breaking grounds in all spheres, we share a vision of excellence to promoting the delight of football-loving Nigerians”.
Aiteo Group is one of Africa’s fastest-growing energy leaders with a clear vision of the future, according to its website.
“It operates through her subsidiaries of which Aiteo Eastern E&P Co. Ltd is her main subsidiary,” a press statement from the company says.
