The 2024/2025 season of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership concluded in spectacular fashion, offering fans across the country a vivid reminder of the untapped potential, resilience, and brilliance within women’s football in Nigeria. The season, which ended with a captivating Super Six tournament at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, did not only crown Bayelsa Queens as champions but also heralded a new era for the domestic women’s game — one rich with promise and built on a foundation of passion, professionalism, and progression.

Bayelsa Queens’ emphatic 4-1 victory over Naija Ratels on the final day of the Super Six was a fitting climax to what has been the most fiercely contested NWFL season in recent memory. With four teams — Bayelsa Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, Edo Queens, and Remo Stars Ladies — all still in the title race going into the last matchday, the competitiveness of the league reached a new zenith. The Prosperity Girls, led by a blend of youth and experience, rose to the occasion with forward Vera Samuel netting a remarkable hat-trick, while Mega Cynthia added another to seal a sixth title for the Bayelsa-based team.

Their dominance in the Super Six was not just about goals and grit, but also about consistency and tactical discipline throughout the season. Finishing the final round-robin with 10 points from five matches, Bayelsa Queens outclassed and outlasted their rivals in what was described by NWFL Chairperson Nkechi Obi as “the most competitive Super Six we’ve ever had.”

Individual brilliance was on full display throughout the campaign, with several players distinguishing themselves as rising stars of Nigerian football. Nasarawa Amazons’ Jenat Akekeromowei was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) after a stellar season where she scored 13 goals, four of which came during the Super Six. Her technical prowess, versatility, and attacking instinct proved vital for the Amazons who finished as runners-up.

 

Remo Stars Ladies’ Bolaji Olamide emerged as the league’s Top Scorer, notching an impressive 15 goals in 19 matches. Her goalscoring instincts and off-the-ball movement marked her as a future Super Falcons hopeful. Her teammate, Charlotte Adjei, clinched the Best Goalkeeper of the Season award and received a ₦200,000 prize from the Judith Chime Foundation for her efforts between the posts — a gesture that emphasized the importance of corporate and private support for the women’s game.

The 2024/2025 season wasn’t only remarkable for the action on the pitch. It was also a year where significant strides were made off it. The NWFL leadership under Nkechi Obi ensured that the competition adhered to higher professional standards, with improved media visibility, better officiating, enhanced logistics for teams, and more structured partnerships with stakeholders.

The decision to host the Super Six at the Remo Stars Stadium — a venue known for its state-of-the-art facilities — further underscored the commitment to elevating the women’s game. Host and Remo Stars chairman, Kunle Soname, lauded the tournament’s organisation, stating that it was a “milestone in the growth of women’s football in Nigeria.” His sentiments were echoed across the football community, with many pointing to the growing parity in competition and the professionalism displayed during the playoffs.

 

Financial incentives also played a key role in motivating teams and improving competitiveness. Bayelsa Queens walked away with a ₦10 million grand prize, while Nasarawa Amazons and Edo Queens received ₦6 million and ₦4 million respectively. Other participating teams, Rivers Angels, Remo Stars Ladies, and Naija Ratels, were each awarded ₦1.5 million — a welcome development that reflects the league’s commitment to rewarding performance.

While this season has certainly been a success, it also exposed some areas requiring urgent attention. The financial health of several clubs remains unstable, with reports of delayed salaries, poor training conditions, and travel challenges still surfacing intermittently. Grassroots development, while on the rise, still lacks adequate infrastructure and scouting structures in many parts of the country.

Inconsistencies in media coverage and sponsorship are also issues that the NWFL must continue to address. Despite growing interest, mainstream visibility for women’s football is still far behind that of the men’s league. However, the increased presence on digital platforms, coupled with a growing pool of media professionals dedicated to women’s sports, offers hope.

 

Another area of concern is the development pathway for players. Many young talents still struggle with the transition to international football due to gaps in nutrition, mental conditioning, and technical training. Addressing this requires a more holistic player development approach that includes academic support, health education, and long-term career planning.

As Bayelsa Queens prepare to represent Nigeria at the CAF Women’s Champions League Zonal Qualifiers in Côte d’Ivoire, there’s no doubt that the spotlight will shine even brighter on the NWFL. Their performance on the continental stage will not only test the quality of Nigeria’s domestic league but will also influence perceptions about the depth and strength of women’s football in the country.

 

The goal, therefore, must be sustainability and growth. The NWFL board has an opportunity to build on the success of the 2025 season by implementing strategic reforms — including expanded youth leagues, enhanced broadcast partnerships, grassroots coaching clinics, and corporate engagement.

 

There is also the urgent need to push for the full implementation of club licensing for women’s teams, ensuring they meet professional standards in coaching, welfare, facilities, and governance.

The success of the 2025 NWFL season speaks to a broader national opportunity. Women’s football in Nigeria has the potential to not just rival but surpass its male counterpart in global impact, especially given the consistent performance of the Super Falcons over the years.

 

What is needed now is a national framework that aligns the NWFL with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Ministry of Sports, private stakeholders, and international partners. Together, they must craft a comprehensive roadmap that treats women’s football as a national priority — one that creates jobs, empowers communities, and uplifts the next generation of girls through sport.

The curtain may have fallen on the 2024/2025 NWFL Premiership, but the echoes of triumph, progress, and ambition continue to resonate. From Vera Samuel’s hat-trick heroics to the determined rise of teams like Remo Stars Ladies and the resilience of Nasarawa Amazons, this season has given Nigeria’s football faithful plenty to cheer.

 

Yet, the real victory lies in what comes next — the quest for sustainability, equity, and global competitiveness. If the momentum is harnessed, the NWFL will not only shape the future of football in Nigeria but also stand tall as a beacon of what’s possible when women are given the stage to shine.

 

As Chairperson Nkechi Obi aptly said, “This season proves we are moving in the right direction.” The challenge now is to keep that direction true — towards a future where women’s football isn’t just celebrated once a year, but every day, in every corner of Nigeria.