… as Ndigboamaka Traders Cup enters 3rd season with 12 teams, six-week contest
United Nigeria Airlines has thrown its weight behind a grassroots football initiative bringing traders from 58 major markets across Lagos State together, becoming headline sponsor of the 2026 Ndigboamaka Traders Cup.
The tournament, which enters its third season as the United Nigeria Airlines Ndigboamaka Traders Cup 2026 (3.0 Edition), is scheduled to kick off on October 8, with 12 teams drawn from the 58 affiliated markets competing over six weeks.
The sponsorship was announced on Monday at a press conference in Lagos to unveil the tournament, which is themed “Unity, Enterprise and Healthy Living”.
President of the Ndigboamaka Progressive Markets Association, Hon. Chinedu Ukatu, said the partnership with United Nigeria Airlines reflected a shared commitment to connecting people, businesses and communities.
Ukatu said the association, which represents 58 major markets across Lagos, was using the tournament to promote unity, peaceful coexistence, welfare and healthy living among traders.
“I am very delighted that United Nigeria Airlines, a proudly Nigerian airline led by our national grand patron, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, has graciously accepted to be the sponsor of this tournament”, he said.
“United Nigeria Airlines is an airline that believes in connecting people and businesses just as we connect markets and traders. Their decision to partner with us shows their deep commitment to grassroots development and the informal sector which is the real engine of Nigeria’s economy”.
Football as a platform for unity
Explaining the choice of football as the vehicle for the initiative, Ukatu described the sport as a powerful means of bringing people together while providing young people with constructive engagement.
“Some people will ask why football? It is because football is a unifying language and our youths in the markets need positive engagement”, he said.
“We need to promote healthy living among our traders and strengthen brotherhood among markets in Alaba, Trade Fair, Ladipo, Computer Village, Balogun, Lagos Island, ASPMDA and all others”.
The organisers said the tournament would culminate in a grand finale at the National Stadium, Lagos, where winners would receive various prizes.
Beyond competition, the tournament is expected to provide a platform for identifying football talents among traders and engaging young people within the market communities.
The organisers are projecting more than 500,000 direct spectators and a further five million people reached through radio and social media during the competition.
Airline backs grassroots engagement
Speaking on United Nigeria Airlines’ decision to sponsor the tournament, the airline’s Sales Manager, Nnonyelum Ibemere, said the partnership aligned with its commitment to community development.
“Our mission has always been to unite people, communities and businesses. This tournament embodies the same values we hold dear, which are unity, enterprise, and progress”, Ibemere said.
She said the airline’s corporate social responsibility initiatives were focused on creating meaningful impact in communities across the country.
“We are particularly inspired by the tournament’s focus on youth engagement, talent discovery, and healthy living among our business community. The trading community is the true engine of Nigeria’s economy, and it deserves our unwavering support”, she said.
Ibemere described the plan to bring all 58 markets together on the football pitch as a strong demonstration of collective action.
“United Nigeria Airlines is privileged to be part of this. We congratulate the Ndigboamaka Progressive Markets Association on its efforts and look forward to a very successful tournament”, she added.
Ukatu also called on market leaders, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to support the initiative.
“On behalf of the national executives of Ndigboamaka, I sincerely thank the executive chairman and management of United Nigeria Airlines for believing in this vision”, he said.
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