Tag: The Nigeria National League (NNL)

The Nigeria National League (NNL) has announced a revised date for its 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will take place in Kaduna State.

 The meeting has been rescheduled from the earlier-announced date of Wednesday, 10^th  September to Saturday, 13^th  September.

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In an official communication to the Clubs and the concerned State Football Associations, NNL’s Chief Operating Officer, Danlami Alanana, stated: “We convey to you a warm sporting compliment from the Chairman, Board Members, Management, and Staff of the Nigeria National League. Our earlier letter dated August 14, 2025, refers. Due to some logistical considerations, a slight adjustment for the 16th edition of the Nigeria National League Annual General Meeting has been made.”

The letter clarified that the new date for the AGM is now 13th September, 2025, starting at 10:00 AM, with an arrival date for participants set for Friday, 12th September. Alanana expressed apologies for any inconvenience the change may cause to the participating teams.

Thenff.com learnt that the NNL may unveil a major sponsorship agreement at the upcoming Annual General Meeting.

The Nigeria National League (NNL) has confirmed October 2025 as the official kick-off month for the 2025/2026 season, following a strategic Board meeting held on Friday, July 11, at the VIP Lounge of the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State.

The Board also scheduled the league’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the last week of August 2025, as part of its preparatory roadmap for the new campaign.

The high-level meeting marked a decisive moment for Nigeria’s second-tier football league as it reviewed the just-concluded 2024/2025 season and laid out a framework to build on its recent progress.

The board ratified the qualification of Warri Wolves, Wikki Tourists, Kun Khalifat FC and Barau FC to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) while the NNL also affirmed the relegation of the eight teams to the Nigeria Nationwide League (NLO).

They are: Ijele FC, Igbajo United, 1472 FC, Abakaliki FC, Madiba FC and Gateway United from the Southern Conference and Zamfara United and Adamawa United from the Northern Conference.

The Board expressed profound appreciation to Delta State Governor, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, and the people of Delta State for their warm hospitality and sponsorship of the 2025 NNL Promotion Playoffs.

The Board also extended heartfelt congratulations to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, on his recent elevation as President of the West African Football Union Zone B (WAFU B) by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). They described the appointment as a deserved recognition of his leadership in regional football.

Further, the Board acknowledged the decision of the NFF Executive Committee to extend the tenure of the current NNL leadership, reaffirming its unalloyed loyalty to the Federation. It pledged to continue aligning with reforms that will further professionalize Nigerian football and enhance the league’s status as the heartbeat of domestic talent development.

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Key sponsors and partners were not left out of the appreciation. Organizations such as Prostar Recreational Services Ltd, Sportlight Hub Ltd, Sofascore, and Monimichelle were recognized for their crucial support. Hon. Kunle Soname was given special mention for hosting the pre-season workshop and seminar that helped shape a productive season.

The Nigeria National League Clubs Owners Association (NALCOMA) also received accolades for its collaborative spirit and discipline throughout the 2024/2025 season. The Board urged even deeper cooperation in future campaigns.

Acknowledging improved officiating standards, the Board commended the Nigeria Referees Association and the NFF Referees Appointment Committee for their role in enhancing the credibility of match officiating.

Looking ahead, the Board announced plans to constitute a Constitution Review Committee to assess and revise key articles in the league’s Rules and Regulations, aimed at improving governance and operational efficiency.

As part of the meeting’s resolutions, the Board confirmed the promotion of four clubs to the elite Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) following a highly competitive season: Wikki Tourists FC; Barau FC; Warri Wolves FC and Kun Khalifat FC.

Meanwhile, eight clubs have been relegated from the NNL to the lower division after struggling in the recently concluded season. These include: Ijele FC; Igbajo United FC;1472 FC, Abakaliki  FC ;Madiba FC ;Gateway FC ;Zamfara United FC and Adamawa United FC.

As the 2024/2025 season concludes, the NNL Board reaffirmed its commitment to continuous improvement, strategic stakeholder engagement, and alignment with global standards to make the league more competitive and commercially viable.

The Nigeria National League (NNL), in collaboration with Prostar Sports and Sportlight Hub, has announced that the combined Monthly Excellence Awards for April and May 2025 will hold June 18, at the West Point Hotel, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja, starting at 11:00 a.m.

The prestigious event held to celebrate outstanding performances in Nigeria’s second-tier football league, will recognize key individuals and teams who have excelled in various categories over the two-month period.

According to the organizers, the awards continue to serve as a platform to promote sportsmanship, talent development, and excellence within the league.

The highlight of this edition includes a double win for Warri Wolves, with Coach Napoleon Aluma and goalkeeper Efevwerha Joke both clinching top honours. The awards also shine a spotlight on emerging talents and teams setting high standards on and off the pitch.

Officials from the NFF, NNL, Prostar Sports, club representatives, and football stakeholders are expected to attend the ceremony, which continues to build momentum and recognition for Nigeria’s domestic football ecosystem.

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The Monthly NNL Awards are part of ongoing efforts to reward performance and inspire professional standards across the league.

Full List of April/May 2025 NNL Award Winners:

 1. Highest Goal Scorer: Gukut M. Chindi – Edel FC

 2. Best Goalkeeper: Efevwerha Joke – Warri Wolves FC

 3. Best Coach: Napoleon Aluma – Warri Wolves FC

 4. Best Behaved Team: Sokoto United FC

 5. Most Valuable Player (MVP):Valentine Ugwu – Solution FC

 6. Goal of the Month: Shamasu Mohammed – Barau FC

This year’s Paddysco Sports award is set to attract top football dignitaries that would include chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL) and Executive Board Member of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF),  George Aluo and Lagos FA chairman , Alhaji Gafar Liameed.

This much was confirmed yesterday by organizers of the event billed for June 15 at Garden Top hotel, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos.

A member of the organising  committee,  Chuks Udeaja, in a statement made available to the media,  said this year’s event promises to be a night of glamour that would also be graced by ex-internationals and other major sports stakeholders.

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“Last year’s show was beautiful, this year we are further raising the bar. We want to make it a memorable night. We are happy big wigs like the NNL chairman George Aluo and Lagos FA chairman has confirmed they will be gracing the event.

“It is a night we at Paddysco sports use to reward talented Nigerian children who are doing well not just in sports but other areas of life. That is why we tag it annual talent showcase and awards,” Udeaja stated.

Udeaja was full of praise for the Chief Executive Officer of Paddysco Sports Peter Okereke as well as the duo of Miss Mary Jane Ezumezu and Ekene Okafor, for the wonderful efforts they are making to ensure this year’s show is truly world class.

The Nigeria National League (NNL) continues  to enjoy  commendation  for the  transformation of the country’s second tier league with the latest  coming from the Edo State Government while offering its readiness to partner with  the league body  in order  to move the country’s football forward.

This much was stated  by the  Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, Amadin Desmond Enabulele, during a courtesy  call at his office  in Benin City by  the Chairman of NNL, Mr. George Aluo.

According to Enabulele, the present board of the NNL has succeeded changing the narratives about the most important league in the country by ensuring fair play which has led to many fans developing interest in the league.

He said: “We as a government are happy that the NNL under your leadership has achieved a lot just under two year of coming on board. It’s on record that an NNL side won the prestigious President Federation Cup last year and even this year, one of the NNL side, Abakaliki FC has turned to giant killers in the Federation Cup.

“They sent two time CAF champions, Enyimba FC of Aba packing in the round of 16 and right here at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, last Saturday, they defeated another  NPFL side, Nasarawa United to qualify for the semi- finals of the championship which shows the quality of the league.

“I’m also happy to say that the NNL is no longer a cash and carry league as teams now win on the road and erring teams heavily  sanctioned for hooliganism and act of lawlessness while referees are paid on time which has helped in solidifying the league and I urge you to keep it up.”

Enabulele also assured that his state government being a sports friendly one will be happy to partner with the NNL to move the league to a higher pedestal.

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Earlier in his remarks, Aluo commended the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo for appointing the right people to manage the state’s  sports sector, saying  with the calibre of people in charge, Edo State will continue to retain its position as one of the leading states in sports in the country.

“I know where Insurance was on league log before you and your team took over. You are doing a good job,” Aluo stated. “My visit is to congratulate you on your appointment as the Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission and to also intimate you with some of the activities of the NNL as well as discuss areas we can partner to make the league more successful.

“I must have to commend the Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo for appointing technocrats to manage the state’s sport sector. His appointment is a clear indication that he wants Edo State sports to move forward and I believe he made the right choices,” Aluo said.

Domestic football action in Nigeria’s second -tier league, the Nigeria National League (NNL), is set to resume for the second stanza of the 2024/2025 season with highly anticipated fixtures.

As the most competitive league in the country, the  36 clubs will battle fiercely—some aiming for a prestigious spot in the Super 8, others fighting to maintain their league status, while some will be desperate to escape relegation.

With the Open Transfer Window allowing teams to reinforce their squads, the competition promises to be even more intense in this second half of the season. Crown FC Ogbomosho, Khun-Khalifat FC, Wikki Tourists of Bauchi, and Yobe Desert Stars of Damaturu currently lead their respective conferences, but they will face fierce opposition as the race for glory intensifies.

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Beyond player acquisitions, tactical shifts will also shape the season’s outcome. Several clubs have made bold coaching changes—Solution FC parted ways with Emmanuel Deutch, Gombe United bid farewell to Bala Nikyu, Barau FC moved on from Salisu Yussuf, Gabriel Ezema left Inter Lagos.

Kada Warriors  and ABS have also undergone managerial overhauls. With Encho Anthony now leading ABS and Danlami Kwasau Umar the new coach in  Kada Warriors, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown in the league’s final stretch.

As the NNL returns with a bang, fans can expect nothing less than intense football, tactical masterstrokes, and a battle for supremacy in Nigeria’s most unpredictable league.

The Nigeria National League (NNL) and Prostar have announced the winners of their monthly awards for December, 2024.

Utum Godswill Solomon, of Wikki Tourists Football Club of Bauchi Football Club  took home the Best Goalkeeper award, the goal tender who is  7.1 feet in cm  having kept a clean slate in four matches.

Ebrima Manneh of Sporting Supreme Football Club of  Abuja was the standout player, winning both the Highest Goal Scorer and Most Valuable Player awards. The sixteen year old Ebrima nicknamed “Val”  scored four goals in four matches and was named Man of the Match (MOT) in two games.

The 45-year-old  Coach Okechukwu Ejeh(Aka Mourinho)  of Abia Comets Football Club, was named Best Coach after remaining unbeaten in four games, including two away victories.

Smart City Football Club of  Lagos(Ultimate good Faith), was awarded the Best Behave Team, having received no cautions throughout the month.

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Momoh Camara of the Nasarawa State Referees Council was recognized as the Best Referee of the month, sponsored by the NNL live streaming partners Sports Light Hub

These awards are in recognition of outstanding performances, in the efforts of the NNL and Prostar commitment in promoting excellence in Nigerian football.

The awardees are the first set of recipients of the newly introduced NNL / Prostar monthly award for the 2024 /2025 season.

The awards will be presented to the recipients on Wednesday , 22^nd  January, at the NNL Secretariat, Glass House Wuse Zone 7 Abuja by 11 am