NPFL Challenges Eunisell Over Unauthorised Golden Boot Award, Threatens FCCPC Action.
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has issued a stern warning to Eunisell Limited, a prominent chemical and oilfield solutions company, over its annual Eunisell Golden Boot Award, labelling it “illegal” and unauthorised. The NPFL board, led by Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye, has threatened to escalate the matter to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) if the award ceremony, scheduled for today at the Radisson Blu Hotel in GRA Ikeja, Lagos, proceeds without league approval.
The Eunisell Golden Boot Award, established in 2018, honours the NPFL’s top goalscorer with a cash prize of ₦200,000 per goal and a gold-plated boot. This year, Nasarawa United’s Anas Yusuf, who netted 18 goals in the 2024/25 season, was set to receive ₦3.6 million. However, the NPFL contends that Eunisell’s use of the league’s name and brand without formal partnership or consent constitutes a “deliberate flouting of naming rights” and “ambush marketing.” Elegbeleye stated, “It is not right for any organisation to use the NPFL’s name and announce an award without recourse to the asset owners. We will use every legal channel to protect our asset.”
The NPFL’s letter to Eunisell, reported by Punch, warned that failure to desist could bring the company into disrepute. The league has reportedly instructed Yusuf not to attend the ceremony, casting doubt on whether he will receive his prize. Elegbeleye emphasised the need to end “longstanding impunity,” asserting, “There must come a time to stop illegality, no matter how long it has been going on. This is the time.”
Eunisell, a long-standing supporter of Nigerian football, has sponsored NPFL clubs like Rivers United and Abia Warriors since 2015 and views the award as a commitment to “rewarding hard work and developing Nigerian football.” Chika Ikenga, Eunisell’s Group Managing Director, said, “The Eunisell Boot is more than an award; it’s a symbol of belief in Nigerian football.” Past recipients include Junior Lokosa (2018), Sunusi Ibrahim and Mfon Udoh (2019), Israel Abia (2020), and Chijioke Akuneto (2022).
The dispute has sparked debate within the football community. Sports journalist Rasaq Oboirien criticised the NPFL’s approach, stating, “Those running the NPFL lack the right conversations to push the league forward. Who describes an ISO-certified company as unscrupulous?” Others, like NPFL commentator Ralph George, argued that the award boosts player motivation and league visibility, citing global examples like the Ballon d’Or and Pichichi Trophy, which operate independently of their leagues.
While the NPFL acknowledges the value of rewarding players, it insists that formal procedures must be followed. The league’s move to involve the FCCPC signals a broader push to protect its intellectual property and commercial rights. As the controversy unfolds, the football community awaits resolution, hoping for a balance between corporate support and league governance that benefits Nigerian football’s growth.
