Obaseki says the sponsorship is a boost for Nigerian football

Nigerian Premier League (NFL) says it has signed a record-breaking sponsorship deal with the mobile phone company MTN.

The agreement is worth US$17m over four years, the NFL said.

The deal, which is the biggest sponsorship deal in the West African country's football history, earns MTN the right to be the title sponsors of the league.

Nigeria's top club competition will now be known as the 'MTN Premier League' till the 2010 season.

Oyuki Obaseki, chairman of the NFL said MTN has shown: "unwavering interest to support Nigerian football".

Africa's largest mobile phone operator in customer numbers, who are also active in the sponsorship of football in Africa, say they would continue to work with the NFL.

MTN are the main sponsors of the African Cup of Nations and the Champions League.

The company has a major presence in Nigeria, Cameroon and Uganda.