The Nigeria National League (NNL) has announced that the 2025/2026 season will kick off on Saturday, November 8, 2025, with a star match, while regular fixtures will begin on November 14 across designated venues nationwide.
The decision was part of the resolutions reached at the league’s 16th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Tuesday, September 16, at the 5th Chukker Resort, Maraban Jos, Kaduna State.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting on Wednesday, the AGM confirmed that the new season will adopt an abridged format of four conferences — A, B, C, and D.
One of the major highlights was the abolition of the Super 8 playoffs. The meeting resolved that henceforth, the top club in each conference will gain automatic promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). A Super 4 competition will instead be staged at the end of the season to determine the overall league champion.
However, the communiqué warned that any promoted club that fails to participate in the Super 4 will forfeit its NPFL slot, which will be awarded to the second-placed team in that conference.
Other key decisions taken at the AGM include: Only stadia that meet the required facility standards will host matches in the new season; Clubs must provide valid insurance cover for their players and officials as part of registration; Only official Prostar/NNL match balls will be used, with sanctions for home teams that fail to comply and the financial report and audited accounts for the 2024/2025 season, as well as the 2025/2026 budget, were approved.
The AGM also praised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president for his leadership and expressed appreciation to Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and the people of the state for successfully hosting the gathering.
It further commended the NNL board led by George Aluo, passing a vote of confidence on its leadership and acknowledging ongoing sponsorship efforts.
The communiqué was signed by the drafting committee comprising Mr. Michael Chukwuemeka (Chairman), Mallam Ahmed Egye (Member), and Mr. Nicholas Akujobi (Secretary).
2025/2026 NIGERIA NATIONAL LEAGUE GROUPING
Conference A: Abia Comets, Beyond Limits, Crown, Edel, E-World United, Inter Lagos, Sunshine Stars, Heartland, Godswill Akpabio United, Smart City.
Conference B: Akwa United, Abakaliki, Ekiti United, Dakkada, Sporting Lagos, Osun United, First Bank, Stormers, Rovers, Solution.
Conference C: ABS, FC Basira, Doma United, Lobi Stars, City FC, Kada City, Mighty Jets, Sokoto United.
Conference D: Bichi First, Jigawa GS, Ranchers Bees, Adamawa United, Sporting Supreme, Gombe United, Kebbi United, Yobe Desert Stars.