The Nationwide League One (NLO) has sealed a sponsorship deal with  FirstCentral Credit Bureau.

FirstCentral Credit Bureau Limited, Nigeria’s only independent and first licensed credit bureau will bankroll the NLO Cup and the nation's third-tier domestic league's Annual General Meeting (AGM) to herald the 2024/25 season kickoff.

Chairman of the nation's third-tier league Hon. Silas Agara announced the breakthrough during a press conference held at the NLO Secretariat Board Room in Abuja.

A delighted Agara, says the various reforms the new Board has put in place, have started yielding positive gains and have made the NLO a more attractive brand for corporate Nigeria.

This is evident with the new sponsorship deal between the NLO and FirstCentral Credit Bureau.

The sponsorship will cover the Nationwide League One- NLO Cup which is billed to kick off in Kano and Uyo on November 24th and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) billed for December 8, to set the pace for the 2024/25 season kickoff.

Hon. Agara, a former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State told NLO Media Channel, "We are delighted to have the FirstCentral Credit Bureau come on board as one of our sponsors.

"I believe the various reforms that the new board is proposing to the AGM will yield positive gains and make the NLO a more attractive brand to Corporate Nigeria. The reforms are yet to be approved, but due to positive activities from the NLO Secretariat, we have been seeing positive changes. 

"You will agree with me that the Nationwide League One with over 300 clubs making it the largest in Africa, is a viable brand for corporate organization in Nigeria, this has brought about our relationship with First Central Credit Bureau. 

"Football in Nigeria is massive and an incredible unifier that connects people from all walks of life, as grassroot football is watched daily. It's on record that 70% of NLO Division One and U-19 Youth League matches were live-streamed via the NLO TV App.

The leadership of the NLO has also shown commitment to the growth of grassroot football which has seen a massive increase in the number of participating teams in the NLO from 80 clubs to over 300 clubs cutting across all 36 States of the Federation and FCT, due to our financial prudence with the little resources available. 

"The Board can confidently assure Nigerians that with support from top brands such as First Central Credit Bureau, Nigerians will see more positive service delivery from the NLO.

"So, FirstCentral Credit Bureau will leverage our platform by sponsoring the inaugural NLO Cup and also take care of the bills for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) billed for Friday, December 8, 2023."

First Central Credit Bureau is a credit score is a statistical number that evaluates a consumer’s creditworthiness and is based on the individual’s credit history. It is an instant decision-making tool that helps to reduce the time and cost associated with processing and underwriting credit applications.

This medium reaches the customer directly and educates them on the impact of late/non-repayment of their loans hence improving repayment without breaching the privacy law.