2024/25 Nigeria National League season kickoff date announced
The 2024/2025 Nigeria National League (NNL) season will officially begin on Saturday, November 30, 2024. This was confirmed by stakeholders during the league’s 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM), held on Saturday, September 28, 2024, in Bauchi.
Key resolutions from the meeting included the introduction of monthly awards to recognize outstanding performances. Awards will be given for the best goalkeeper, best coach, most valuable player, top goal scorer, best-behaved team, and best-performing referee.
A communique released by the AGM’s Drafting Committee, chaired by Yakubu Sarma, praised the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) under President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau for providing the necessary support for the NNL. It was also resolved that only Prostar/NNL-branded balls and bibs would be used during matches in the upcoming season.
Other major decisions included:
- The use of only stadia that meet the NNL’s facility criteria.
- The adoption of a new format featuring 36 clubs divided into four conferences of nine teams each.
- The 2024/2025 season will kick off with a “Star Match” on November 30, with the remaining fixtures of Match Day One to be played a week later.
- The approval and adoption of the financial report for the 2023/2024 season and the 2024/2025 league budget as presented by the league’s external auditor.
The AGM also elected a new executive for the Nigeria National League Club Owners and Managers Association (NALCOMA), with Godwin Enakhena emerging as the new NALCOMA President. Chief Boniface Alozie Uche of Abia Comet FC was also elected as a club owners’ representative on the NNL board.
The meeting concluded by passing a vote of confidence on the leadership of NNL Chairman George Aluo for his efforts in repositioning the league and ensuring smooth operations.
