By Jacob Ajom

The 2024 edition of the annual national football championships for top men’s and women’s university football teams in Nigeria, the Varsity Cup has been boosted by the confirmation of fast-growing financial institution Moniepoint as sponsors.

This move is in line with the company’s mission of powering dreams and providing a platform that raises the ceiling for all Nigerians in different spheres of life and endeavour.

Described as the Champions League of Nigerian Universities, Varsity Cup features Nigeria’s top 10 university football teams, playing 26 competitive matches in 5 weeks to determine the Varsity Champions while relegating the 2 least placed teams.

This sponsorship ensures that Moniepoint can connect directly with university students right on their campuses with exciting football games, and digitally where they stream Varsity Cup matches live.

Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Chinedu Oparaku, Director, Marketing noted the central role of sports in nation building and its importance as a tool for character building and development of strategic thinking skills among young people.

“We are driven by a passion to harness the transformative power of sports as a catalyst for talent development and fulfilling career aspirations. Varsity Cup’s mission to build a viable platform for Nigeria’s brightest student-athletes to thrive sits right within our mission of powering dreams for everyone, including members of the higher education community,” said Oparaku

“Sports and football in particular has contributed a great deal towards social cohesiveness, increased business opportunities, employment generation and positive role modeling. We are putting our resources and support behind platforms that enable them to pursue their dreams.”

Olamide Adeyemo, the Chief Executive Officer of Varsity Cup recognizes the importance sponsors like Moniepoint hold for sports and education.

“We are excited to have a global brand like Moniepoint join us in building a national platform for the growth of collegiate sports in Nigeria. This move is a marker for the big things to come for thousands of young athletes and their families.”

Varsity Cup is redefining the narrative of Nigeria’s collegiate football across the men and women categories. It is managed by Perform Agency, in partnership with the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA).

This season of the Men’s Football championship is billed for October 8 – November 6, 2024 while the Women’s Football tourney has been cleared for launch in the 2025 season.