The Nigeria National League (NNL) has officially discontinued the traditional Super 8 end-of-season tournament. Moving forward, promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) will be determined by the top clubs emerging from each of the league’s four distinct conferences.
This change was announced following the conclusion of the NNL’s 16th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Kaduna on Tuesday, where several pivotal decisions were made to improve the league’s framework and functionality.
A major highlight from the AGM was the confirmation of Saturday, November 8, 2025, as the start date for the 2025/2026 NNL season. The opening day will feature a marquee match, with additional fixtures scheduled for November 14th, 15th, and 16th across multiple venues.
To optimize competition, the league will adopt a condensed format, splitting participating teams into four groups: Conference A, Conference B, Conference C, and Conference D.
At the conclusion of the season, a new Super 4 tournament will be introduced to crown the overall league champion. Clubs that opt out of this decisive competition risk forfeiting their promotion rights, which will then be awarded to the next highest-ranked team within their conference.
Furthermore, the AGM mandated that only stadiums meeting the NNL’s stringent facility standards will be authorized for hosting matches in the upcoming season. Clubs must also provide evidence of insurance coverage for all players and officials as part of their registration process, submitting these documents to the NNL Secretariat.
The financial statements and audited accounts for the 2024/2025 season received approval, alongside the budget blueprint for the 2025/2026 season, which will guide league operations. It was also decreed that all matches must use Prostar/NNL official match balls, with penalties imposed on home teams failing to comply.
The board’s success in securing sponsorship deals was acknowledged, and a vote of confidence was passed in the leadership of George Aluo and his team for their dedication to elevating the league’s standards.
Special commendation was extended to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, for his exceptional leadership, as well as to the entire NFF Board for their unwavering support and guidance in positioning the NNL as Nigeria’s premier football league.
The AGM also expressed gratitude to Kaduna State’s governor, Senator Uba Sani, the commissioner for local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the residents of Kaduna State for their hospitality in hosting the meeting.
The resolutions passed at this AGM are poised to significantly influence the trajectory of the Nigeria National League, fostering greater competitiveness and enhancing operational efficiency in the seasons ahead.
