Moniepoint Microfinance Bank has unveiled the inaugural edition of Monieball, Nigeria’s first national university-level five-a-side football tournament. The competition is scheduled to take place from October 8 to October 31, 2025, across select university campuses.
The month-long tournament will feature eight universities, playing 16 matches across eight matchdays, with games hosted on three campuses. The format will follow a round-robin group stage, leading into the semi-finals and concluding with the championship final and third-place playoff in Lagos on Friday, October 31.
Participating Universities
Group A: University of Ilorin (host), University of Calabar, University of Ibadan
Group B: Abia State University, Adekunle Ajasin University, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Federal University Oye-Ekiti
Each match will feature two 25-minute halves, separated by a five-minute halftime. Teams will consist of 10 players (four outfield players, one goalkeeper, and five substitutes), along with five team officials.
Empowering Youth Through Sports and Opportunity
Speaking at the unveiling event in Lagos, Anastasia Igbokidi, Head of Brand at Moniepoint, emphasized that Monieball is more than just a sporting event—it’s a vehicle for youth empowerment and opportunity.
“Progress looks different to everyone. As the financial institution built around enabling progress for Nigerians, we want Monieball to be more than a tournament—it should be a catalyst for dreams, a unifying platform for talent, and an investment in tomorrow’s leaders,” she said.
NUGA Endorses the Tournament
Also present at the launch was Dr. Ajibua Alayode, Acting President of the Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) and Sports Director at the Federal University of Technology, Akure. He commended Moniepoint for aligning with NUGA’s mission to grow sports within Nigerian tertiary institutions.
“This is an epoch-making day where creativity meets strategic sports management. Moniepoint’s professional and global-standard approach will elevate the university sports experience in Nigeria. We believe this partnership will endure,” Dr. Alayode said.
Scouting and Security Measures in Place
Olamide Adeyemo, CEO of Perform Agency, the event’s organizer, confirmed that all participating students will be under 25 years of age, with robust security protocols in place to ensure a safe and smooth competition. He also revealed that scouts from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) will be attending matches to identify emerging talents.
Brand Alignment with Victor Osimhen
The launch follows Moniepoint’s recent announcement of Victor Osimhen as its brand ambassador—a move that aligns with the company’s message of resilience, growth, and the pursuit of excellence.
