The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has strongly dissociated itself from the Eunisell Golden Boot Award scheduled for Friday, June 13, 2025, citing unauthorized use of its brand and naming rights in connection with the event. The award, which intends to present a ₦3.6 million cash priz to the 2024/25 season’s top scorer Anas Yusuf, is set to take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
Chairman of the NPFL Board, Gbenga Elegbeleye, described the move as a blatant act of corporate disregard and vowed to pursue all legal means to protect the League’s intellectual and commercial assets. “It is not right for any person or organisation to use the name of the NPFL and announce an award without recourse to the asset owners,” Elegbeleye said in a firm statement to NPFL Media on Wednesday.
While acknowledging that initiatives that recognize player excellence are welcome, Elegbeleye emphasized that any brand seeking association with the NPFL must follow formal protocols. “We appreciate the effort to reward the league’s top scorer, but there are processes for engagement. We cannot accept this ambush marketing,” he warned.
The league boss confirmed that the NPFL is preparing a formal complaint to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate the organisers of the award. He called the actions of the award promoters “illegal” and warned that such backdoor deals would no longer be tolerated in Nigerian football’s top flight.
Eunisell, a chemical solutions company, has been involved in sports sponsorship in the past, but NPFL insists no official agreement exists authorizing them to host or publicize a “Golden Boot” using the league’s name or its official records. Sources close to the NPFL revealed that the league had previously warned event promoters about unauthorized award announcements.
Elegbeleye concluded that this case will serve as a turning point in enforcing brand protection and legal accountability in the Nigerian sports sector. “There must come a time when impunity ends, no matter how long it’s gone on. That time is now,” he declared, urging brands to engage properly through the League Management Company (LMC) for any future partnerships.
This developing situation has triggered debate across Nigeria’s football community, with some fans applauding the league’s stance while others question why such recognition of players should be blocked. Regardless, the NPFL is clear: respect for process, ownership, and brand integrity is non-negotiable.
