The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially announced a strategic partnership with Carloha, the exclusive dealer and franchise holder of Chery vehicles in Nigeria, to support the growth and development of football in the country.
This collaboration highlights Carloha’s dedication to promoting sports excellence and empowering talent within Nigeria’s football ecosystem.
The official signing ceremony took place at Carloha’s head office in Alapere, Lagos, with key figures in attendance, including Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC); Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, President of the NFF; Carloha CEO, Mr. Liang Long; Carloha Managing Director, Mr. Sola Adigun; Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa, Chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee; and Ms. Aisha Falode, Member of the NFF Executive Committee.
Mallam Dikko praised the partnership, expressing confidence that it would pave the way for more corporate bodies to collaborate with sports federations in Nigeria: “The NSC is pleased with the NFF and Carloha’s new relationship, and we believe it will open doors for further partnerships in the sports sector.”
Carloha CEO, Mr. Long, hailed the partnership as an exciting development, with a particular focus on helping the Super Eagles secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He said, “Football is the world’s most popular sport, and the Super Eagles are Africa’s best team. We are thrilled to support Nigerian football as the leading car company in the country.”
Carloha’s Managing Director, Mr. Adigun, expressed the company’s commitment to long-term impact, emphasizing the importance of supporting grassroots and professional football initiatives: “At Carloha, we believe in investing in the future of sports development in Nigeria. This partnership with the NFF will ensure players and teams have the support they need to excel both locally and internationally.”
As a major automotive brand, Carloha is keen to harness football’s unifying power in Nigeria to improve the sport’s infrastructure and talent development. Through this partnership, Carloha and the NFF will work together to strengthen the national teams and drive the advancement of football in the country.
NFF President, Alhaji Gusau, highlighted the importance of private sector involvement in sports development: “We are thrilled to welcome Carloha as a key partner in our mission to elevate Nigerian football. Their support will help us develop programs that benefit both our teams and the millions of football fans nationwide.”
The signing ceremony marked a significant milestone, bringing together leaders from both the football and business communities. With Carloha’s continued dedication to sports development, this partnership promises to unlock new opportunities for the growth of Nigerian football.
Also present at the ceremony were NFF Director of Media and Communications, Dr. Ademola Olajire; Director of Legal Services, Barr. Okey Obi; Director of Marketing and Sponsorship, Mr. Alizor Chuks; Carloha’s Sales Director, Mr. Joseph Omokhapue; and Carloha’s Marketing Director, Dexter Li, along with media partners, stakeholders, and football enthusiasts.
