Nigerian Sport Sponsorship (A Close Review)

Welcome to this post about Nigerian Sport Sponsorship, via Afrokonnect. Sports are well loved across Africa, particularly in Nigeria. Like many countries, football is the most-played and watched sport in Nigeria and the Nigerian national football team is one of the strongest in Africa. 

However, thanks largely to social media and sponsorships, several other sports are gaining popularity in the country. So, here are a few examples of sports that have seen a surge in interest and are becoming more associated with Nigeria. 

Dambe

Dambe, a traditional form of martial arts, has seen significant growth in viewership across the world in recent years. In 2017, 200,000 people watched the sport, and by 2019 this had soared to over 24 million. Despite its cultural roots, the brutal sport has adapted to modern day technology and gained a substantial presence online. 

Additionally, in 2023, the African Warriors Fighting Championship (AWFC) partnered with DAZN, a popular sports streaming service. This was a huge step in the right direction for the sport, making it easier for viewers from all over the world to enjoy it.

Rugby Union

Rugby union is another sport in Nigeria that’s starting to pick up speed and is beginning to capture the attention of bigger sponsors and better partnerships. One example of this is the recent partnership between The Nigerian Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) and Umbro. Umbro have worked closely with the NRFF along with its sponsors, Flovale, to design the team’s iconic team jerseys. This partnership signifies a huge progression for rugby union in Nigeria. 

A quick look at the latest SA rugby news will also show you how important rugby can be to African nations, with South Africa continuing to dominate and remain established as the world’s best international side. And while Nigeria are yet to make it to a Rugby World Cup, if they continue to grow as they are, they may be able to one day secure similar success seen with their Springbok counterparts. 

Basketball

Alongside football, basketball is one of the most popular sports in Nigeria and their national basketball team is considered to be one of the best in the FIBA Africa zone. Nigeria has produced some of the most well-known basketball players including NBA players Hakeem Olajuwon and Josh Okogie. These highly regarded players have brought more attention to the sport in Nigeria, increasing the popularity of the game. We have published an article about the most popular sports in Africa you should check out.

Nigerian Sport Sponsorship (A Close Review)

An Exciting Future?

To surmise, it’s a fair statement to say that with lesser known sports like Dambe picking up traction, more known sports like rugby union attracting bigger and better sponsorships, and talented basketball players moving to the big leagues, that the future of sports in Nigeria is looking increasingly promising in both the near and far future.