Nigerian Leagues

Football-related violence is common across the world, and Nigeria is no exception. Such incidents are frequent in a Nigerian league, where home teams often resort to any means to win at all costs
Desperation for victory and points, particularly among teams that want to finish first and avoid relegation, drives engagement

Today marked the start of the 54th season of Nigeria’s league.
While the current champions, Remo Stars, played to a 1-1 draw against Rivers and others, the league will start on Sunday at 16:00 GMT. The league management board announced that the 2025/26 season will commence on August 22, 2025, and conclude on May 24, 2026. This is to maintain the calendar we established last season.

All 20 teams competing in the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League season

Rivers United

Shooting Stars

Warri Wolves
Wikki Tourists
Bayelsa United
Bendel Insurance
El-Kanemi Warriors
Enugu Rangers
Enyimba
Katsina United
Kun Khalifat
Kwara United
Nasarawa United
Niger Tornadoes
Plateau United
Remo Stars
Abia Warriors
Barau

This year’s edition was witnessed. Four private clubs were Remo Stars, Ikorodu City, Barau FC, and Kun Khalifat, the highest since 2019.
With the approach of the league management board, this year’s edition will feature well-manned leagues. Watch out for good games between

Niger Tornadoes vs Nasarawa United
Kwara United vs Ikorodu City
Abia Warrior vs Kano Pillars
Wikki Tourists vs Plateau United
Enugu Rangers vs KHALIFAH
Katsina United vs Warri Wolves
El-Kanemi Warriors vs Bendel
Shooting Stars vs Bayelsa United
Barau vs Enyimba.
 

This year edition of Nigeria NNL will witness Osun united ,fc Crown fc ,Kun khalifa fc ,Doma fc ,Barau fc ,Wikki Tourist fc ,,Yobe desert fc and Warri wolves fc .
Those listed are the teams that have qualified for the Super 8. Meanwhile, 4 out of them will join the Premier League. The remaining 4 will definitely go back to NNL.
The team that represents OyoState Crown Fc from Ogbomosho

had their first training session after arriving in Asaba, the capital of Delta state, for the Nigeria National League Super 8 promotion play-off scheduled to start tomorrow, Saturday, the 5th of July 2025.

The team, led by team captain Ugochukwu Anozie, began the training session at exactly 7:45am on Friday with 26 players. All players were actively involved throughout the session, including three goalkeepers.

The team goalkeepers’ trainer, Adeniyi Adejare, was in charge of the three goalkeepers [Oladeji Joshua, Abayomi Sultan Mubarak and Moradeyo Oyelami], who made the trip to Asaba, while the technical adviser, Coach Alexander Ayodeji Ayeni and his assistants paid huge attention on the rest of the squad.

Crown FC management under the leadership of Olamide Ilupeju were present at the training session that lasted for 90 minutes.

According to the Nigeria National League body, draws for the Super 8 will be conducted today, while the team’s representatives are invited to attend.

Ibadan -based professional football club, PSI, is set to kick off this year’s Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO) 2025 campaign with a match against Ogbomosho’s United on today, Wednesday, 23rd April 2025.
Speaking with the chair and founder of the team on Monday at the team’s home ground in Prospect High School Abanla in oyo state, Nigeria, the Director Akande Lukuman Arisekola

” According to him, this is our seventh season in the Nigeria Nationwide League One NLO, and we are ready to start a winning spirit against Ogbomosho’s United with intensity and tempo and ready to prove we are the oldest team that ready to secure promotion is our goal.

The PSI Coach, Amoo Kamilu, promised support and a lover of good and fantastic football, further explaining that his team will not underestimate any opponent, and are willing to give their best in every game with a fight for 3 points in each game.
PSI will compete against 10 teams in their group, including Ogbomosho United fc, Oyomesi fc, Adeyemi fc, Cornerstone fc.
Karamone fc,Ilaji fc,Olisa fc
Positive football academy,
3SC B fc , and Oye Olohun fc

The only game between PSI INT’L and Ogbomosho’s United Fc will take place on Wednesday 23rd April 9am at Iseyin township Stadium, Oyo state, Nigeria.

Fans both home and abroad are eager to watch and hear a good performance from PSI as they aim to secure promotion.
From the PSI INT’L Media team.

Sky Blue Remo Stars won the southwestern derby with an Oyowah goal in the 30th minute to give them their fifth away win of the season.

The Sky Blue we’re maintaining the first position with 65 points after 34 matches, using seven points to be leading second position Rivers United F.C. who have 58 points after beating Sunshine, 1-0.

Remo Stars got their goal against Shooting on Sunday with a header from Ismail Sodiq’s crossing into the top corner while the Shooting Stars failed to respond.
Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan this season out 17 home games, winning 11, drawing 5 and losing 1. With 2 away wins, 4draws and 11.

The Nigeria professional football league should be proud of with a record of past achievements and contributions to country football and the world at large. This league has and still produces great players that travel abroad to do well for their various clubs, like Jay Okocha, Mutiu Adepoju, Yekin Rashid, Ighalo etc.

Here is the list of past highest goalscorers in the league from the 90s.

1990 name Ishaya Jatau from Iwuanyanwu Nationale with 17goals.
1991 name Richard Ojomo from Bendel United with 12goals
1992 name Arthur
Moses from Stationery Stores with 10 goals
1993 • • Anthony
Nwaigwe from Iwuanyanwu
Nationale with 13 goals
1994 • • Olumide
Harris from Shooting Stars with 14goals
1995 • • Ben Agawam from Gombe United with 12 goals
1996 name Peter Anyiolobi from Enyimba with 9goals
1997 name Paul Kpoughoul from Jasper United /BCC Lions with 16 goals
1998 • • Hassan Minna from Gombe United with 14 goals
1999 • • Emmanuel Ago from Iwuanyanwu Nationale with 14 goals
2000…Peter ijeh from Julius Berger with 14 goals

2001 •• Uche Okereke from Rangers International with 13 goals
2002 name Joetex Frimpong
And Victor Ezeji from El-Kanemi
Warriors and Sharks with 16 goals
2003 • • Chibuzor
Ozurumba and Endurance
Idahor from Iwuanyanwu
Nationale and Julius Berger with 13 goals
2004 • • Kabiru Alausa from Julius Berger with 13goals
2005 • • Timothy Anjembe and Joseph Akpala from Lobi Stars and
Bendel Insurance with 12 goals
2006 • • Ikechukwu Ibenegbu from El-Kanemi Warriors 10 goals
2007 • • Aruwa Ameh from Kaduna United with 10 goals
2008 • • Abubakar Babale from Wikki Tourists /Sunshine Stars with 14 goals
2009 • • Orok Akarandut from Akwa United with 17 goals
2010 …Ahmed from Kano Pillars with 18 goals

2011 • • Jude Aneke from Kaduna United with 20 goals
2012(25] • • Sibi Gwar from Niger Tornadoes with 17 goals
2013•….Victor Namo from Nasarawa United with 18 goats
2014[25] • • Mfon Udoh from Enyimba with 23 goals
2015 • • Gbolahan
Salami from Warri Wolves with 17goals
2016 • • Godwin
Obaje from Wikki Tourists with 18 goals
2017 • • Anthony Okpotu from Lobi Stars with 19 goals
2018 • • Junior Lokosa from Kano Pillars with 19 goals
2019 • • Mfon Udoh and Sunusi
Ibrahim from Akwa United and
Nasarawa United with 10 goals
2019/20 …• Israel Abia from Rangers International with 12 goals
2020/21 • • Silas Nwankwo and Charles Atshimene from Nasarawa United and Akwa United with 19 goals
2021/ 22 Chijioke Akuneto from Rivers United with 19 goals

2022/23 Chukwuemeka Obioma
From Enyimba with 16 goals
2023/ 24 • • Chijioke Mbaoma from Enyimba with 17 goals .
2024/25 ?

The Nigeria premier football league was formerly known as the Amaschree Gold Cup from 1970 to 1979 and the National League/Nigeria Football League.

The past winners are listed below.

Rangers International Football Club, commonly known as Enugu Rangers, is a Nigerian premier football league club founded in 1970 with its home ground as the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu (The Cathedral).

Rangers International or Enugu Rangers have won Nigeria’s premier title nine times, starting in 1971, 1974,1975, 1977,1981,1982,1984,2016 and just concluded one 2023/24 season.

Some of the legends behind them were Augustine Azusa, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Emmanuel Okala and Adokiye Amiesimaka etc.

Enyinba, the club, was founded as a state-owned club in November 1976 by Jerry Amadi Enyeazu, who was the first Director of Sports in the newly established Imo State, a province in southeast Nigeria.

The Enyimba International of Aba were millennium winners who also won the title nine times, with three back-to-back times, starting in 2001,2002,2003,2005,2007,2010,2015,2019 and 2023.

Some of their legends are Ogbonnaye Okemmiri, Kalu Uche.

Ibrahim Mustapha,Vincent Enyeama,Obinna Nwaneri,

Mouritala Ogunbiyi,Uche Kalu.

Onyekachi Okonkwo.

The shooting stars the club found in 1950 were called WNDC Ibadan (Western Nigeria Development Company), and were later called IICC (Industrial Investment and Credit Corporation) Shooting Stars of Ibadan.

IICC Shooting Stars (Ibadan) have secured the title five times, in 1976,1980,1983,1995 and 1998 as shooting started in Ibadan.

 

Some of the legends are the late Jide Johnson, Niyi Omowon, Segun Odegbami, Felix Owolabi, Niyi Akande, Taiwo Ogunjobi, the late Rashidi Yekini, Mutiu Adepoju and Oladimeji Lawal the current Tm of the club

Spartans F.C., later known as Iwuanyanwu Nationale from 1985 to 2006. The death of Chief Iwuanyanwu on 25 July 2024 made a team now known as Heartland FC founded in 1976.

Iwuanyanwu Nationale (Owerri), now called Heartland FC, was the first Nigerian league to win the title four times, back to back, in 1987,1988, and 1989.

And in 1990, we also won the title in 1993 to making 5title.

Some of their lengths are. Late Godwin Eke , Semitoje Isaac ,Nwaigwe Tony ,Otho Bathel Thomas Oliha, Finidi George, Benedict Iroha, and Uche Okechukwu. etc

Kano Pillars FC was founded in 1990, the year the professional association football league started in Nigeria.

Kano Pillar followed suit by winning the title three times, back to back, in 2012,2013 and 2014, with 2008 winning four titles.

 

Some of their lengths are

A. Shehu Abdullahi · Razaq Adegbite · Theophilus Afelokhai · Prince Obus Aggreh · Rabiu Ali .Ahmed Musa etc

Bendel Insurance Football Club’s initial name was Vipers of Benin. It was founded in 1972 now as the state team Philip Shaibu, Deputy Governor, Edo State, as chair of the club.

 

Bendel Insurance (Benin City) contributed to the league’s success by winning it two times: 1973 and 1979.

 

Some of their lengths are

A. Abubakar Bello-Osagie · Olubayo Adefemi · Prince Obus Aggreh · Julius Aghahowa · Festus Agu · Joseph Akpala · Kola Anubi ; B · Daddy Bazuaye ; C · Justice ..

Here are the other winners of Nigeria’s professional football leagues. I know some people will still remember BC Lions of Gboko, New Nigeria Bank, who nurture Stephen Keshia etc. Stationery stores, Adebajo boys, only Peter Rufai. It only views people who remember Edward Ansah of Leventis of Ibadan and Julius Berger, who produced players like Yakubu Ayegbini, Garba Lawal and Joseph Dosu, etc.

1972 Mighty Jets (Jos)

1978    Racca Rovers (Kano)

1985 New Nigeria Bank (Benin City)

1986    Leventis United (Ibadan)

1991 Julius Berger (Lagos)

1992 Stationery Stores (Lagos)

1994    BCC Lions (Gboko)

1996    Udoji United FC (Awka)

1997 Eagle Cement (Port Harcourt)

1999    Lobi Stars FC (Makurdi)

2000 Julius Berger (Lagos)

2004    Dolphin (Port Harcourt)

2006    Ocean Boys FC (Brass)

2009    Bayelsa United FC (Yenagoa)

2011    Dolphin (Port Harcourt)

2017    Plateau United FC (Jos)

2018      abandoned

2019/20   abandoned

2020/21 Akwa United (Uyo)

2021/22 Rivers United (Port Harcourt)

Who will be in this year’s Edition ?

Nigeria Professional League was dropped from the competition’s title as first in the table, leading with 8point from one outstanding match.
While other big four’ River United, Abia Warriors, Shooting Stars and Enugu Rangers had led the way in the continental ticket.
Remo Stars secured the title with a 2-0 home win against Enyinba on 27-3-2025 to lift the tiles for the first time.
El- Kanemi warriors came from behind to play a 2-2 draw with shooting stars at 50′.
And 81 minutes of the game.
Plateau United beat Enugu Rangers 1-0 at home to escape relegation.
Bayelsa United stayed at home to secure a 1-0 victory over Rivers United. Lobi Stars travel to Abia to receive a 2-0 beating from Abia Warriors. The match between Sunshine Stars and Heartland ended in a goalless draw. Kware United won 1-0 against Nasarawa United. Bendel insurance secured an away draw against Kano Pillars. Akwa at home beat Niger Tornadoes 2-0 to be 1 point above relegation.

table stand

1. Match between Ikorodu City vs Katsina Utd was Postponed

 

Actions continues at the Ibadan Football Council League, the 88th edition of the league at Olubadan stadium main bowl, Iyaganku Area, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Where notable teams in the state played against each other and had Karim Adeyemi fc leading the table with 11points and Jogbin at. Bottom of table with zero points.

Police Baton were very serious about the game between them and Soccer Ambassador fc they won by 4-0.

Unibadan was unfortunate against 3Sc feeders lost by alone goal.

TEAF FC, after their last match, 1-6, lost. They were lucky to shine against FC Peridot with a 1-0 win after many chances created by FC Peridot but were unable to convert them.

The match between PSI and VIA was a dramatic four goals within 10 minutes with a sequence of 2sec intervals to equalize each other, but the final results favor VIA with a 4-3 compared to their 1-1 draw against young stars fc last match.

Goals scorer  4 Via

Adetutu David

Owoade Emmanuel

Ibrahim Fatai

Joseph Idikrere

Goals Scorers 4 PSI

Adeleke Ibrahim

Hammed Wahab

Adeleke Ibrahim

De-pride fc and Marvelous fc ended their games with a 1-1 draw with Maruff Toheeb (De-pride)and Aliyu Olalekan (marvelous). These results for

De -pride was compensation for their last match, losing against Adeyemi FC by 0-2, while Marvelous maintained their

Unbeating as they played a goalless draw against Dragon Furry in their last match.

here is the table standing

1. 

Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Week 30 matches were played yesterday. Abia Warriors proved to be determined by beating Heartland at home 1-0 and sitting one point ahead of Shooting Stars (3sc) in the table. Abia Warriors won yesterday with a 2-0 Akwa United win over Kwara United, making the NPFL produce two away victories this week.

The Pride of Rivers are now five points behind Remo Stars with their 1-0 win over Ikorodu City to save 52point from 30 points, although the match between Lobi Stars and Remo Stars was postponed.

3SC smashed Niger Tornadoes 3-1 to gain 4th position with 46point.

The crowd was too much at Oriental Derby to watch moments of good soccer, but Abia Warriors sent Heartland back into the relegation zone courtesy of a 1-0 away win. Ojonugwa Adejoh’s free-kick on 81 minutes gave Abia Warriors the full points at Heartland.

Sunshine could not shine. Benin City lost 0-1 to Bendel insurance.
Enyimba int’s at home played a 1-1 draw with Bayelsa United.
Katsina United at home cashed out 3-0 against El-kanemi Warriors.
The match between Pleteau United and Kano Pillars ended 2-1 in favor of Plateau United.

As Enugu Rangers coach Fidelis Ilechukwu was absent from their match as a result of their National assignment, Enugu Rangers lost away to Nasarawa United 0-1.

My question is this: can shooting stars qualify for any
Position 1–2 : CAF Champions League
Position 3 : CAF Confederation Cup.
Because the last time shooting stars qualified for the continent was 1999 in the café Champions League, which is over 25 years old now.

Can Alia Boys Relegate this season as they find themselves at no 20 on the table?

Short history of the team
Lobi Stars was founded as Hawks of Makurdi in 1981 by the Benue State Sports Council. The club was renamed Benue Breweries Limited (BBL) Hawks Football Club when the state-owned Breweries acquired the club in 1985.

NPFL Table