NIGERIA'S Football Federation (NFF) and sportswear giant Nike have signed a new three year deal that will see the company kit the national teams and contribute towards the grassroots development of the game.  

Adidas and the NFF's contract to kit the country's numerous national teams ended last year and the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on a new deal. With no solution in sight, Nigeria would have been without a kit sponsor and the national teams would have had to play in jerseys bought on the open market without the logo of any manufacturer. 

Following the impasse, the NFF opened up negotiations with rival Nike and the two sides have now reached an agreement that will see the company kit Nigerian national teams until at least 2018. Effective from April 1, 2015, the deal will include Nike designing an assortment of products for Nigerians that will be available from mid-2016. 

Under the terms of the deal, Nike will design performance and training apparel and equipment, including team kits and footballs, for the Nigerian footballers at every level of the game. There will also be an exclusive-edition team kit for all NFF teams until the 2016/17 kit launches in mid-2016. 

Nigeria's under-20 men’s team, the Flying Eagles, will be the first to don the new Nike kit at the U20 World Cup to be hosted in New Zealand as from May 31. Following the signing of the deal, Nigeria joins Nike’s portfolio of federation sponsorships which include Australia, Brazil, England, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea and the US. 

Laurent Payre, Nike's vice president for Africa, said: “We are very pleased to partner with the Nigeria Football Federation, one of Africa’s premier teams. The passion for football in Nigeria is renowned and Nike is committed to supporting and advancing the game at all levels through inspiration and innovation for young men and women.” 

NFF president Amaju Pinnick, added: “This exciting partnership with Nike signifies our commitment towards building and strengthening a successful football future in Nigeria. The game enjoys a huge following across the country and we want to fuel participation and ultimately the success of our future national teams.” 

Under the partnership, all nine of the Nigeria's teams including the men’s and women’s senior, under-20, under-17, Olympic teams and the men’s beach football team. If the Super Eagles qualify for the 2016 Olympics, it will be the first major tournament in which the senior team will feature wearing it.