Rafa Corporation, a leading African consumer goods company, has signed a three-year shirt sponsorship deal with Kano Pillars Football Club. The partnership, unveiled in Kano under the theme "Together for a Stronger Tomorrow," features three new official Kano Pillars jerseys bearing the Rafa brand logo. This sponsorship strengthens Rafa's connection with consumers while supporting Nigerian football and creating opportunities for young people.
The agreement was signed by Alhaji Kabiru Rabiu, Chairman of Rafa Corporation and Group Executive Director of BUA Group, and Alhaji Ahmed Musbahu Garo, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kano Pillars Football Club. Rabiu described the sponsorship as a natural connection between a proudly Nigerian manufacturing business and a football institution. He emphasized that Kano Pillars' extraordinary following and contribution to Nigerian football made it a compelling partner for Rafa.
The partnership aims to extend beyond brand visibility to support the club's development and expand its reach across Nigeria and beyond. Rabiu recalled BUA Group's earlier support for Kano Pillars in 2013, describing the agreement as a renewal of a longstanding connection and a foundation for greater collaboration. He commended the Executive Governor of Kano State, His Excellency, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his continued support for the club and commitment to youth and human capital development.
Garo welcomed the partnership, describing it as one of the most significant achievements of his tenure and an important step towards strengthening the club's commercial foundations. He thanked Rafa Corporation for its support, noting that stronger private-sector partnerships would help reduce dependence on government funding, support academy development, and provide a sustainable foundation for sporting success.
As part of the broader collaboration, Rabiu disclosed that discussions were underway on establishing a Rafa Football Academy in partnership with Kano Pillars. The proposed academy would identify and nurture promising young players through structured coaching, discipline, and development opportunities. This initiative aims to create lasting opportunities for young talent and deepen the relationship between Rafa and the club.
Kano Pillars, founded in 1990, is one of Nigerian football's most distinguished institutions, with four national league championships and a semi-final appearance in the 2009 CAF Champions League. The club has made an encouraging start to the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season, remaining unbeaten through its opening six matches. The sponsorship comes as Rafa Corporation advances a substantial manufacturing investment programme aimed at building one of Africa's leading home and personal care businesses.
The partnership with Kano Pillars extends Rafa's commitment to Nigerian consumers and its ambition to build an integrated African consumer goods enterprise. By supporting a celebrated football institution and exploring new pathways for young talent, Rafa is connecting its commercial growth with the aspirations of the communities it serves. This collaboration expresses a shared determination to create opportunity, inspire pride, and carry Nigerian ambition onto a larger stage.
Key points
- Rafa Corporation signs three-year shirt sponsorship deal with Kano Pillars Football Club
- Partnership aims to support Nigerian football and youth development through Rafa Football Academy
- Collaboration reflects Rafa's commitment to building an integrated African consumer goods enterprise
