From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base
Nigeria National League
Nigerian football national league
Nigerian football national league
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Nigeria National League |
| country | Nigeria |
| confed | CAF |
| founded | 1979 (reorganized 1991) |
| teams | 46 |
| promotion | Nigeria Premier Football League |
| relegation | Nigeria Nationwide League |
| domest_cup | Nigerian FA Cup |
| Nigerian Super Cup | |
| confed_cup | CAF Confederation Cup (via Nigerian FA Cup) |
| season | 2024–25 |
| most successful club | Dolphins/Eagle Cement• Niger Tornadoes |
| current | 2025–26 Nigeria National League |
| level | 2 |
| champions | Warri Wolves |
| website | nnl.com.ng |
Nigerian Super Cup (3 titles each) The Nigeria National League (NNL) (formerly the National Division 1) is the second-highest tier in the Nigerian football league system, after the Nigeria Premier Football League, and is currently contested by 46 clubs.
Each season, four teams are promoted to the Nigeria Premier Football League, via NNL Super 4/NNL Super 8. The twelve lowest-finishing teams in the Nigerian National League are relegated to Nigeria Nationwide League.
History
From 1997-2011, the league has been split into 1A for Northern teams and 1B for southern teams. The top two from each division are promoted to the Nigerian Premier League the next season. The exceptions were the 2005–06 and 2006-07 seasons where there were four divisions of eight teams each, with each division winner winning promotion. Up to four teams in each division are relegated each season to the Amateur First Division. The league was renamed 19 June 2008. In 2012 the league expanded from 32 to 36 teams with 2 more teams promoted. The league used the 2006 format, with four divisions of nine teams each, with division winners receiving automatic promotion. In 2012-13, it went back to two divisions of sixteen. For the 2015 season, it used four divisions of eight teams.
2024–25 season
Conference A
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1472 FC | Lagos | Mobolaji Johnson Arena | 10,000 |
| Abia Comets | Umuahia | Umuahia Township Stadium | 5,000 |
| Beyond Limits | Ikenne | Remo Stars Stadium | 5,000 |
| Crown FC | Ogbomosho | Soun Stadium | |
| Dakkada | Uyo | Uyo Township Stadium | |
| Edel | Awka | Awka City Stadium | |
| Igbajo | Ile-Ogbo, Osun | Lanre Leke Stadium | |
| Ijele | Enugu | Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium | |
| Inter Lagos | Lagos | Mobolaji Johnson Arena | |
| Smart City | |||
| Warri Wolves | Warri | Warri Township Stadium |
Conference B
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abakaliki | Abakaliki | Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium | |
| ABS | Ilorin | Kwara State Stadium | 18,000 |
| First Bank FC | Lagos | Mobolaji Johnson Arena | |
| Gateway United | Abeokuta | MKO Abiola Stadium | |
| Godswill Akpabio FC | Uyo | Uyo Township Stadium | |
| Kun Khalifat | Owerri | Dan Anyiam Stadium | |
| Madiba | Lagos | Mobolaji Johnson Arena | |
| Osun United | Osogbo | Osogbo Township Stadium | |
| Rovers | Calabar | U.J. Esuene Stadium | |
| Solution FC | Awka | Awka City Stadium | |
| Sporting Lagos | Lagos | Mobolaji Johnson Arena |
Conference C
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barau | Dambatta | Dambatta Stadium | |
| Gombe United | Gombe | Pantami Stadium | 12,000 |
| Jigawa Golden Stars | Dutse | Kazaure Stadium | |
| Mighty Jets | Jos | New Jos Stadium | |
| Sokoto United | Sokoto | Giginya Memorial Stadium | |
| Wikki Tourists | Bauchi | Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium | |
| Zamfara United | Gusau | FIFA Goal Project Pitch, Birnin Kebbi |
Conference D
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adamawa United | Yola | Ribadu Square Stadium | 5,000 |
| Basira | Lafia | Lafia City Stadium | |
| Doma United | Gombe | Pantami Stadium | 12,000 |
| Kada Warriors | Kaduna | Ahmadu Bello Stadium | |
| Kebbi United | Birnin Kebbi | FIFA Goal Project Pitch | |
| Sporting Supreme | Bwari | Bwari Stadium | |
| Yobe Desert Stars | Damaturu | 27 August Stadium |
2019-20 season
The season kicked off in November 2019. The 42 teams were consolidated back into four divisions.
The league went for the December break, and didn't return. The league was later cancelled due to the outbreak of Covid-19 outbreak in Nigeria. No team was promoted to the Premier division after football activities were stopped due to the rampaging effect of Covid-19. Group A1
- ABS FC
- Aklosendi Int'l
- DMD Borno
- Federal Road Safety FC
- Green Beret FC
- Kada City F.C.
- Kebbi United
- Kogi United
- NAF FC
- Malumfashi FC
- Oyah Sports
- FC Zamfara
Group A2
- EFCC F.C.
- El-Kanemi Warriors
- Gombe United
- Kwara United
- Mighty Jets
- Rarara FC
- Sokoto United
- Niger Tornadoes
- Yobe Desert Stars
Group B1
- Abia Comets
- Apex Krane FC, Delta State
- Ibom Youth
- Dynamite FC
- Ekiti United
- Gateway United F.C.
- Giant Brillars
- Go Round F.C.
- Nilàyo FC
- Osun United F.C.
- Shooting Stars S.C.
Group B2
- Bayelsa United
- Bendel Insurance
- Calabar Rovers
- Crown F.C.
- J'Atete FC
- Joy Cometh FC
- Lamray United
- Remo Stars F.C.
- Stationery Stores F.C.
- Vandrezzer FC
2020/21 Season
On 6 November 2020, the league's organizing committee agreed to continue the four division North and South format for the 2021 season. The start date was to be three weeks after the top division NPFL resumes. The league is expected to start on 30 January 2021 after the successful draws at the Congress held on Friday 15 January at Ebonyi State
On Saturday 30 January 2021, an Emergency congress took place in Ebonyi State where the kick off date was changed to 13 February 2021. 21 clubs voted in favor of 13 February while 4 clubs voted in favor of 6 February Group A1
- ABS FC, Ilorin
- EFCC FC, Abuja
- Hyperbuzz, Maiduguri
- Kogi United
- Mailantarki Carr
- Mighty Jets
Group A2
- DMD Borno
- Federal Road Safety FC
- G&K Shekarau FC, Kano
- Kebbi United
- Kogi United
- Malumfashi United
- Niger Tornadoes, Minna
- Yobe Desert Stars F.C.
- Zamfara United Group B1
- Calabar Rovers
- Delta Force F.C.
- Dynamite Force FC, Benin
- Ekiti United
- Giant Brillars, Enugu
- Go Round F.C., Omoku
- Nilàyo FC, Abeokuta
- Nnewi United
- Osun United F.C.
- 3SC, Ibadan
- Stationery Stores F.C., Lagos
- Vandrezzer FC, Lagos
Group B2
- Abia Comets F.C.
- Apex Krane FC, Delta State
- Bayelsa United
- Bendel Insurance
- Crown F.C.
- Gateway United F.C.
- Godosky FC, Anambra
- Holy Arrows FC, Oleh
- Ibom Youths FC, Uyo
- J'Atete FC, Ughelli
- Joy Cometh FC, Lagos
- FC One Rocket, Ikot Ekpene
- Remo Stars F.C.
Nigeria National League Stadiums 2020-21
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Jets F.C. | Jos | New Jos Stadium | 60,000 |
| FC Taraba | Jalingo | Jalingo City Stadium | 30,000 |
| Calabar Rovers F.C. | Calabar | U. J. Esuene Stadium | 25,000 |
| Kogi United F.C. | Lokoja | Confluence Stadium | 25,000 |
| Vandrezzer FC | Lagos | Teslim Balogun Stadium | 24,325 |
| Giant Brillars | Enugu | Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium | 22,000 |
| Apex Krane FC | Asaba | Stephen Keshi Stadium | 22,000 |
| ABS FC | Ilorin | Kwara State Stadium | 18,000 |
| Gombe United F.C. | Gombe | Pantami Stadium | 12,000 |
| Bendel Insurance F.C. | Benin City | Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium | 12,000 |
| El-Kanemi Warriors F.C. | Maiduguri | El-Kanemi Stadium | 10,000 |
| Osun United F.C. | Osogbo | Oshogbo Stadium | 10,000 |
| Crown F.C. | Ibadan | Adamasingba Stadium | 10,000 |
| Shooting Stars S.C. | Ibadan | Adamasingba Stadium | 10,000 |
| Stationery Stores F.C. | Lagos | Onikan Stadium | 10,000 |
| Aklosendi International | Lafia | Lafia Township Stadium | 10,000 |
| Green Berets of Zaria | Zaria | Zaria Township Stadium | 10,000 |
| Nnewi United | Oba | Rojenny International Stadium | 10,000 |
| Gateway United F.C. | Abeokuta | MKO Abiola Stadium | 10,000 |
| DMD Borno | Mauduguri | El-Kanemi Stadium | 10,000 |
| Nilàyo FC | Abeokuta | MKO Abiola Stadium | 10,000 |
| Delta Force F.C. | Ogwashi Ukwu | Jay Jay Okocha Stadium | 8,000 |
| Abia Comets F.C. | Umuahia | Umuahia Township Stadium | 5,000 |
| Bayelsa United F.C. | Yenagoa | Yenagoa Township Stadium | 5,000 |
| Niger Tornadoes F.C. | Minna | Minna Township Stadium | 5,000 |
| Sokoto United F.C. | Sokoto | Giginya Memorial Stadium | 5,000 |
| EFCC FC | Abuja | Old Parade Ground | 5,000 |
| NAF Rockets F.C. | Abuja | Old Parade Ground | 5,000 |
| Federal Road Safety FC | Abuja | Old Parade Ground | 5,000 |
| Oyah Sports International | Minna | Minna Township Stadium | 5,000 |
| Holy Arrows FC | Ughelli | Ughelli Township Stadium | 5,000 |
| J'Atete FC | Ughelli | Ughelli Township Stadium | 5,000 |
| Remo Stars F.C. | Ikenne | Remo Stars Stadium | 5,000 |
| Zamfara United F.C. | Gusau | Sardauna Memorial Stadium | 5,000 |
| Ibom Youths FC | Ikot Ekpene | Ikot Ekpene Stadium | 5,000 |
| FC One Rocket | Ikot Ekpene | Ikot Ekpene Stadium | 5,000 |
| Ekiti United | Ado-Ekiti | Oluyemi Kayode Stadium | 4,000 |
| Joy Cometh FC | Lagos | Agege Stadium | 4,000 |
| Godosky FC | Nnewi | Gabros Stadium | 3,000 |
| Yobe Desert Stars F.C. | Damaturu | Potiskum Stadium | 2,000 |
| Rarara FC | Katsina | Kahuta Stadium | 2,000 |
| Dynamite Force FC | Benin City | Western Boys Stadium | 2,000 |
| Kebbi United | Birnin Kebbi | Haliru Abdu Stadium | 2,000 |
| Go Round F.C. | Omoku | Krisdera Hotel Stadium | 1,000 |
| G&K Shekarau FC | Kano | Sabon Gari Stadium | 1,000 |
| Malumfashi United | Malumfashi | Township Stadium | 1,000 |
Past winners
The league was a single table until 1998. Between 1998-2011 winners of the North and South divisions played a one-game playoff to determine the overall Division champion. 2011-2017 the champion was determined by a Super Four mini-league between the four promoted teams. In 2018 it was a Super Eight to pick the four teams.
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1991 | El-Kanemi Warriors |
| 1992 | Concord FC, Abeokuta |
| 1993 | Enyimba |
| 1994 | Eagle Cement |
| 1995 | Kano Pillars |
| 1996 | Niger Tornadoes |
| 1997 | Kwara United |
| 1998 | Kwara Stars |
| 1999 | Udoji United |
| 2000 | El-Kanemi Warriors |
| 2001 | Kano Pillars |
| 2002 | Dolphins F.C. (Nigeria) |
| 2003 | Mighty Jets F.C. |
| 2004 | Nasarawa United |
| 2006 | Zamfara United |
| 2007 | Sunshine Stars F.C. |
| 2008 | Warri Wolves |
| 2008/09 | Dolphins F.C. (Nigeria) |
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2009/10 | Crown F.C. |
| 2010/11 | Wikki Tourists |
| 2012 | Nembe City F.C. |
| 2013 | Giwa F.C. |
| 2014 | Gabros International F.C. |
| 2015 | Niger Tornadoes F.C. |
| 2016 | Katsina United F.C. |
| 2017 | Go Round F.C. |
| 2018 | Kada City F.C. |
| 2019 | Dakkada F.C. |
| 2020 | abandoned |
| 2021 | Niger Tornadoes |
| 2022 | Bendel Insurance F.C. |
| 2023 | Heartland F.C. |
| 2024 | Beyond Limits F.A. |
| 2025 | Warri Wolves |
References
References
- Holmes, Tosin. (2020-06-01). "Amaju Pinnick pledges Solidarity to NNL".
- (8 November 2020). "NNL Stakeholders adopt abridged format for the 2020-2021 season".
- Busari, Niyi. (2021-01-31). "Breaking! Emergency Congress Confirms New Kick off Date For NNL".
- (11 February 2021). "Nigeria's Most Important Football League Begins Friday".
- "National League Set To Sanction Defaulting Clubs".
- (29 November 2015). "Niger Tornadoes FC beat Plateau United to win NNL Super-4 tournament". Vanguard News.
- "Katsina United win 2016 NNL Super Four title - Goal.com".
- (16 November 2023). "NNL ejects Gateway United, Malumfashi FC from national league".
- (14 August 2023). "NNL Kickoff Date for 2023/24 Season to be Decided After AGM". [[Leadership (newspaper).
This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.
Ask Mako anything about Nigeria National League — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.
Research with MakoFree with your Surf account
Create a free account to save articles, ask Mako questions, and organize your research.
Sign up freeThis content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.
Report