Get Guardian on GoogleThe Nigeria National League (NNL) and Locker Room Bonus have renewed their partnership for the 2026/2027 football season, which kicks off on November 1.
Locker Room Bonus, powered by popular betting platform Betpawa, is a bonus-based reward initiative that gives players and technical staff winning bonuses directly to their phones before they leave the dressing room.
The Locker Room Bonus is designed to cater to the welfare of the players, where rewards are received in real time after every win, and also to increase the competitiveness of matches in the Nigeria National League.
In a bid to continually put players’ welfare at the forefront, the renewed agreement between the NNL and Locker Room Bonus for the 2026/2027 season is valued at N496.9 million, which covers match-win bonuses, operational promotional support, and a set-aside N8 million cash reward for the most outstanding players and clubs at the end of the season.
Danlanmi Alanana, NNL’s Chief Operating Officer, said the Locker Room Bonus has added value to the league, enhanced its competitiveness, and has improved the welfare of the players.
“It has also made the league very competitive. Everybody wants to win, and therefore, you see there’s an enhancement of performance by the players. The coaches are also putting in their best to ensure that their team wins. So it has brought in so much competition among the players.”
Also speaking on the renewed deal, BetPawa Regional Manager West and Southern Africa, Nii Ashong Katai, said: “Athletes’ welfare is central to betPawa. Through the Locker Room Bonus, we’re recognising athletes’ efforts and extending direct support to more players, wherever they compete.”
He said that the partnership operates on an immediate reward principle. Eligible Players and staff across the 34 teams in the league will get what is due to them instantly after winning a match, which is sent directly to their mobile phones.
The Locker Room Bonus is designed to eliminate the administrative challenges and endless battles players face in trying to get match bonuses.
Locker Room Bonus had already set a precedent upon which the new partnership is hinged. During the 2025/2026 regular season and the Super 4, the initiative carried out over 5,000 direct mobile transfers totalling N289.7 million in support across the two competitions.
