Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, the official marketing partner of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has issued a strong warning to Airtel Nigeria, accusing the telecom firm of ambush marketing and unlawful association with the Super Eagles.
Pamodzi stated that MTN Nigeria remains the exclusive official communications partner and sponsor of the NFF and all Nigeria’s national football teams, including the Super Eagles.
According to Pamodzi, the sponsorship agreement grants MTN Nigeria sole rights to use the national teams and players’ image rights for promotions, advertising, marketing and other commercial activities. The firm expressed displeasure that Airtel has allegedly continued to link its products and services to the Super Eagles without paying for sponsorship rights.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday, Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company said:
“The Super Eagles’ impressive outing and the inherent potentials shown at the 35th Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco have endeared them to Nigerians and corporate citizens who have been identifying with the team.”
Pamodzi alleged that Airtel’s activities around AFCON 2025 were aimed at boosting brand visibility by riding on the success of the Super Eagles without authorisation, describing such actions as unethical and unlawful.
“What Airtel has done is infringing on MTN Nigeria’s trademarks and other property rights in relation to the Super Eagles around AFCON 2025. This is unlawful and Pamodzi, as the agency responsible for implementing the rights agreement between MTN Nigeria and the NFF, will not watch the abuse of rights MTN Nigeria has paid for,” the statement said.
The sports marketing firm stressed that the rights granted to MTN Nigeria are exclusive, noting that the NFF has not extended similar promotional, advertising or marketing rights to any other company within the same product category.
Pamodzi explained that MTN Nigeria and the NFF signed a three-year renewable sponsorship agreement in 2023, making MTN the official communications partner and sponsor of all Nigeria’s national football teams.
Speaking further, the CEO of Pamodzi, Chief Mike Itemuagbor, praised corporate sponsors of the NFF, including MTN Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries, Premier Lotto and Mr Chef, noting that the Super Eagles’ strong performance at AFCON 2025 is partly driven by their sustained support.
“These sponsors are strategic partners to the NFF. The Federation has not closed its doors to other companies that wish to associate their brands with the national teams, but such relationships must follow due process,” he said.
He added that corporate organisations and individuals interested in partnering with Nigeria’s national teams are welcome to engage the NFF and Pamodzi, assuring that all legitimate sponsorship rights would be protected.
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