By

Patrick Ngwaogu 
 

The Nigeria National League (NNL), in conjunction with chairmen of NNL clubs, has expressed deep concern over the standard of officiating witnessed in the first stanza of the 2025/2026 league season, describing it as unacceptable and capable of bringing the league into disrepute.

 

This was part of resolutions reached at the NNL Mid-Season Retreat held at the auditorium of Beyond Limits FC, Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, Ogun State. The retreat proposed the outright expulsion of any referee found to have compromised matches or failed to properly apply the Laws of the Game.

 

The retreat, attended by league administrators and club chairmen under the umbrella of the Nigeria National League Club Owners and Managers Association (NALCOMA), condemned in strong terms the “win-at-home-at-all-costs” mentality of some clubs, as well as the harassment and intimidation of match officials at match venues. It further resolved that any venue found promoting hooliganism, harassment, or disruption of matches would face severe sanctions.

 

Participants reiterated the decision earlier taken at the league’s Annual General Meeting in Kaduna State that a Super 4 competition would be organized at the end of the season to determine the overall winner of the league. Club chairmen were reminded that any of the four qualified clubs that fail to participate in the Super 4 would automatically forfeit their promotion slot to the club that finished second in their respective conference. The retreat also welcomed the proposed increase in prize money for the Super 4 competition.

 

In a bid to improve officiating standards, the retreat requested that referees from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) be drafted to handle matches in the second stanza of the 2025/2026 season.

 

The retreat upheld 14 February 2026 as the commencement date for the second stanza of the league and urged clubs to conclude their mid-season transfer activities promptly.

 

The NNL and NALCOMA expressed appreciation to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, and the NFF Board for their continued support and guidance, which they said has helped position the NNL as a critical league in Nigeria’s football development structure.

 

Special gratitude was extended to Hon. Kunle Soname for hosting the retreat at his ultra-modern sports facility in Ikenne. The retreat also commended Betpawa for the prompt implementation of the Locker Room Bonus (LRB) during the first stanza of the season and welcomed plans by the company to further support clubs with material assistance.

 

The retreat equally thanked the NNL’s new partners, Toptier Sports Management Ltd (TSM), for signing an investment deal with the league and urged the company to activate the agreement ahead of the second stanza. Other league partners were also commended for their collective efforts toward improving the quality of the NNL.

 

While applauding the cordial working relationship between the NNL Board and NALCOMA, participants advised that communication between both bodies should be further improved. The retreat concluded by commending the NNL Board led by Mr. George Aluo and NALCOMA under the leadership of Mr. Godwin Enakhena for achievements recorded so far, particularly in attracting partners to the league.