Nigeria Nationwide League Explained

Nigeria Nationwide League Division One
Country:Nigeria
Confed:CAF
Founded:2001
Teams:91 (80 on 2017)
Promotion:Nigeria National League
Relegation:Nigeria Amateur League Division Two
Levels:3
Domest Cup:Nigerian FA Cup

National Nationwide League Division One (formerly known as Nigerian Amateur League) is the third level of club football in Nigeria. Every year, up to eight teams are promoted to the Professional Division One.

Starting in 2012, the league changed its name from the Amateur League and will promote three teams per division instead of two. This was after a long delay in confirming promotions from the prior year due to teams' protests.[1] [2]

As the "largest grassroots league in the world", promotion and relegation are not guaranteed. Most of the teams are sponsored by private citizens or Local Govt. Areas and funding at this level is minimal. Any team eligible to move to the National Division 1 must qualify for a Professional League license and commit to the increased spending. After the 2007/08 season Dankalat FC of Kano won promotion, but instead sold their slot in Division 1A to Calabar Rovers. (Dankalat would eventually sell their slot in the 2012 Professional League to Nembe City FC). For the 2013 season, FC Ebedei and Makwada remained in the Nationwide league and sold their promotion slots after winning their divisions. Bolowotan, who also won promotion, sold their slot after 9 games in the professional level.

After the 2016 season, the league doubled in size to 80 teams. Teams will play in five-team divisions, with the winner of each division playing the corresponding Group for the one promotion slot.

The 2019/20 season was cancelled and affected by the COVID-19 that forced all activities to a stop. Hence, no promotion or relegation of teams.

Current season - 2023-24

Venue 1 - Lagos Centre (Legacy Pitch)

Club State
FC RoboLagos
Synergy Ultimate SCLagos
Magic Stars FCLagos
Gbagada FCLagos
Broad City FCLagos
Dunnaz FCLagos
Alaze FCLagos
Allifey FCLagos
Lekki UnitedLagos
TCCG FCLagos

Delta Centre

Club State
Holly Arrows FCDelta
OYC FCDelta
Ughelli Rovers FCDelta
Isoko UnitedDelta
Delta Marines FCDelta
Rolly FCEdo
FC DeltraEdo
Junosa United FCEdo
Living Vioice FcEdo
Morsko Int. FcEdo

2021-22

The 2021/Season will have 132 teams playing in sixteen groups in sixteen venues (originally eight) and began the first weekend of March.[3]

Ikenne Group 1

Ikenne Group 2

Ado Ekiti Group 1 (Kayode Olufemi Stadium)

Ado Ekiti Group 2 (Federal Polytechnic Stadium)

Ilorin Group 1 (Kwara FA Stadium)

Ilorin Group 1 (Ilorin Stadium)

Univ. of Port Harcourt

Calabar (Esuene Stadium)

Jos Group 1 (Rwang Pam Stadium)

Jos Group 2 (Zaria Road Stadium)

Ngor-Okpala Stadium

Okigwe Stadium

Bauchi Group 1 (AT Bello Stadium)

Bauchi Group 2 (Federal Polytechnic Stadium)

Zaria Group

Kaduna Group (Ranchers Bees Stadium)

Sponsors

In 2023 the NLO signed a deal with New Year Mega Lottery

!Period!Sponsor!Brand
2024–presentNew Year Mega Lottery New Year Mega Lottery Nationwide League League

Notes and References

  1. http://allafrica.com/stories/201112300719.html http://allafrica.com/stories/201112300719.html
  2. http://nigerianpilot.com/index.php/sports/132-abia-state-condemns-nff-devilish-act Abia State condemns NFF devilish act
  3. https://nigerianationwideleague.com/nlo-list-venues-for-2020-2021-zonal-league/?fbclid=IwAR0zlCwoEjM5-_q64wfww8g_09omYZ7iyVVXN12L9zAW4ODBxMaaIo_BIn4 NLO LIST VENUES FOR 2020/2021 ZONAL LEAGUE (https://nigerianationwideleague.com)