Fresh off securing a record-equalling ninth Nigeria Premier Football League title, Rangers International have received another major boost off the pitch after Afrinvest Group Managing Director Ike Chioke announced a ₦50 million reward for the club in celebration of their championship triumph and continued partnership.
Rangers players and technicals, commissioner for Sports – lloyed Ekweremmadu Jnr photographed with Afrinvest group at the celebratory event in Lagos. PhotoCredit: AthleticNG
The announcement was made during a celebratory dinner hosted by Afrinvest at the Villa and Jellia Event Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos, following Rangers’ dramatic 2-1 victory over Ikorodu City which sealed the 2025/26 NPFL crown.
Players, technical crew members, media personnel and club executives attended the event, including Technical Adviser Fidelis Ilechukwu and General Manager Amobi Ezeaku, whose administration has overseen a sweeping commercial and structural transformation at the Enugu club.
The ₦50 million gesture further strengthens a partnership that has rapidly evolved into one of the most visible sponsorship relationships in Nigerian club football.
Rangers international sign Partnership deal with Afrinvest.
Afrinvest became Rangers’ front-of-shirt sponsors in October 2023 in a landmark ₦50 million sponsorship agreement widely regarded as a turning point in the club’s commercial direction. At the time, the deal represented one of the most significant private-sector investments involving an NPFL club and symbolised Rangers’ renewed push towards financial sustainability and institutional growth.
Since the agreement was signed, Rangers have aggressively expanded their commercial footprint under Ezeaku’s leadership.
The club revealed earlier this year that it had generated more than ₦500 million through sponsorships, partnerships and strategic support within two years, including backing from Afrinvest, Nortra Tractors and private stakeholders committed to the club’s long-term vision.
Enugu Rangers General manager Barr. Amobi Ezeaku
The Rangers General Manager has repeatedly emphasized reducing the club’s dependence on government funding, with a target of cutting state financial reliance by 40 percent before 2027 as part of a broader four-year strategic plan.
That strategy has already started reflecting in the club’s operations and branding.
This past season, Rangers players reportedly wore brand-new jerseys for every single match campaign, an unprecedented move in Nigerian football circles.
The club also improved travel logistics for players and officials, while building international relationships including a partnership with Swiss side FC Schaffhausen.
After winning the league title under Ilechukwu in his debut campaign during the 2023/24 season, Rangers returned to the summit again this year to secure their ninth league crown and move level with Enyimba International as the most successful club in NPFL history.
The latest ₦50 million reward from Afrinvest is expected to further deepen ties between both institutions while reinforcing Rangers’ growing reputation as one of the league’s emerging models for corporate partnership, branding and football administration.
