By Boluwatife Kehinde
The Nigeria National League (NNL) has announced that the highly anticipated 2025/2026 season will launch on November 8 with an exciting star match.
Following this inaugural event, the remaining fixtures for Week One are slated to take place from November 14 to November 16 across a selection of approved venues, ensuring the matches are accessible to fans nationwide.
These decisions were part of the significant resolutions reached during the league’s 16th Annual General Meeting (AGM), which convened on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at the picturesque 5th Chukker Resort Limited located in Maraban Jos, Kaduna State. The AGM was attended by key stakeholders, including club representatives and league officials, all eager to discuss and shape the future of the tournament.
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In a formal communiqué signed by prominent figures—Michael Chukwuemeka (Chairman), Mallam Ahmed Egye (Member), and Nicholas Akujobi (Secretary)—it was confirmed that the league will adopt an abridged four-conference format for the upcoming season, categorized into Conferences A, B, C, and D. This new structure aims to enhance the competitive edge and facilitate talent discovery across the various regions.
A major decision made during the meeting was the abolition of the Super 8 competition, which previously served as the mechanism for determining promotions to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
Instead, the league will now allow the top team in each conference to earn an automatic promotion, streamlining the pathway to the premier tier. Moreover, the introduction of a Super 4 tournament will now take its place, where the top teams will compete to determine the overall champion of the league. Crucially, any club that opts not to partake in the Super 4 competition will lose its promotion slot, which will then be awarded to the second-placed team within the respective conference.
Further resolutions from the AGM included strict compliance with infrastructure standards, stating that only stadiums meeting the NNL’s established criteria will be authorized to host matches. Clubs are also required to furnish proof of insurance coverage for their players and officials as a condition of registration, ensuring that safety and welfare are prioritized throughout the season.
In financial discussions, the AGM approved the audited financial report for the 2024/2025 season and adopted the proposed budget for 2025/2026 as the working document moving forward. Financial transparency and accountability were emphasized as critical to fostering a sustainable league environment.
Additionally, the league has mandated the exclusive use of Prostar/NNL-branded match balls for all fixtures. Home teams that fail to comply with this directive will face sanctions, reinforcing consistency in match logistics.
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The AGM also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for graciously hosting the meeting, and conveyed appreciation to the President and Board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for their ongoing support. A resounding vote of confidence was issued for the George Aluo-led NNL Board, acknowledging their achievements and continued dedication to elevating league standards and enhancing the overall football experience in Nigeria
