A new chapter in Nigerian campus sports is set to unfold as the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) launches MonieBall, the country’s first university five-a-side football competition.
The tournament, which will run from October 8 to 31, 2025, will bring together eight universities across two host centres in Ilorin and Akungba is backed by Moniepoint.
Read Also: Nigeria’s Sporting Future: Why Winning at All Costs Is Costing Us Everything
Speaking at the unveiling, Moniepoint’s Brand Manager, Anastacia Igbokidi, described the vision behind the initiative as one of genuine engagement with young people.
“Nigerians love football, students love football, and many still dream of playing professionally. With MonieBall, we’re giving them a platform not just to play but to showcase their talent, to be rewarded, and to feel the glory of competing for something bigger,” she said.
Igbokidi also hinted at broader ambitions for the project, with plans to expand to secondary schools and grassroots football in the near future.
With NUGA’s support and Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen as a brand ambassador, MonieBall promises to blend competition, opportunity, and inspiration for Nigeria’s next generation of football talent.
The competition will be staged in a group format leading to knockout semi-finals and a grand finale in Lagos.
Group A (Ilorin host)
University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
University of Calabar (UNICAL)
University of Uyo (UNIUYO)
Abia State University (ABSU)
Group B (Akungba host)
Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA)
University of Ibadan (UI)
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)
Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE)
Fixtures begin October 8 with UNICAL vs UNILORIN and UNIUYO vs ABSU at the University of Ilorin. Group B kicks off a week later in Akungba.
Semi-finals will be played in Calabar on October 23, before the champions are crowned in Lagos on October 31.
 launches MonieBall){kind=link}