BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
In the spirit of uniting the business community through sports, United Nigeria Airlines has emerged as the headline sponsor of the 2026 Ndigboamaka Traders Cup, a football tournament aimed at bringing together traders from 58 major markets across Lagos State.
The tournament, which enters its third season, will commence on October 8 and run for six weeks, with 12 teams representing the participating markets.
The sponsorship was announced on Monday in Lagos during a press conference to unveil the third edition of the competition.
President of the Ndigboamaka Progressive Markets Association, Chinedu Ukatu, said the partnership with United Nigeria Airlines reflected the airline’s commitment to grassroots development and support for Nigeria’s informal sector.
Ukatu described Ndigboamaka as the umbrella body for 58 major markets in Lagos, saying its responsibilities extended beyond trade to promoting unity, peace, welfare and the progress of traders.
He said the tournament was designed to bring traders together outside the marketplace and use football to strengthen relationships among the different markets.
“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,” Ukatu said.
He added that the airline’s business of connecting people and communities aligned with the association’s objective of connecting traders and markets.
According to him, football was deliberately chosen because of its ability to bring people together while providing young people in the markets with positive engagement.
“Football is a unifying language and our youths in the markets need positive engagement. 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,” he said.
The tournament is themed, “Unity, Enterprise and Healthy Living,” reflecting its focus on social interaction, physical fitness and stronger relationships among traders.
The organisers said the grand finale would be held at the National Stadium, Lagos, where winners and other outstanding participants would receive various prizes.
They also projected more than 500,000 direct spectators throughout the tournament and an additional five million people reached through radio and social media.
Ukatu said the competition would also provide an avenue for football talent discovery among traders while creating opportunities for youth engagement and empowerment.
He 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.
Speaking on the airline’s decision to sponsor the competition, Sales Manager, United Nigeria Airlines, Nnonyelum Ibemere, said the partnership was consistent with the company’s commitment to community development and corporate social responsibility.
Ibemere said the airline’s mission of connecting people, communities and businesses was reflected in the objectives of the tournament.
“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,” she said.
She said the airline was particularly encouraged by the tournament’s focus on youth engagement, talent discovery and healthy living.
According to her, traders form an important part of Nigeria’s economy and deserve support that can improve their welfare and strengthen their communities.
“The vision to unite all 58 markets on the football pitch is a powerful statement about the strength of collective action and United Nigeria Airlines is privileged to be part of this,” Ibemere said.
She congratulated the Ndigboamaka Progressive Markets Association on the initiative and expressed the airline’s expectation of a successful tournament.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
