The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) has officially announced the return of the NWFL Nationwide League for the 2025 calendar season, marking its first edition since 2023.

 

The Nationwide League, which serves as the third tier of women’s football in Nigeria, was last played in 2023 before it was discontinued in 2024 and temporarily replaced by the now-suspended States League.

 

Speaking on the development on Tuesday, NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, attributed the reinstatement of the league to recommendations and subsequent approval by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), led by President Ibrahim Gusau.

 

“The reinstatement of the NWFL Nationwide is a significant step towards strengthening the women’s football pyramid in Nigeria, hugely thanks to the President Ibrahim Gusau-led NFF board,” Shabi said.

 

“As the third tier, it plays a vital role in discovering and nurturing talent, giving more grassroots clubs and players the opportunity to compete, grow, and aspire to higher levels of the game.”

 

The NWFL has called on interested clubs across the country to submit their entries via operations@thenwfl.com, with registration opening on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, and closing on September 26, 2025. The league body emphasized that no late entries will be accepted.

 

The 2025 NWFL Nationwide season is scheduled to run from October 3 to October 12, 2025, while the host venue will be announced in the coming weeks.