The Nationwide League One Progressive Club Chairmen Forum held an online meeting on Wednesday, 16th July 2025, bringing together representatives from various NLO clubs to discuss key issues affecting the league and Nigerian football.
During the meeting, the progressive club chairmen comprehensively reviewed the current state of the Nationwide League One, highlighting challenges, sharing best practices, and proposing solutions to drive growth and development.
Following extensive discussions, the club chairmen resolved to:
1. Uphold the Stadium Center League format for the 2025/2026 season.
2. Ensure all clubs are zoned away from their home state irrespective of the number of clubs in the state.
This will help resolve issues experienced in past seasons.
3. Divide the promotion playoff into 8 zones (4 in the South and 4 in the North), with regions defined as follows:
– North Central: Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, and FCT
– North East: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe
– North West: Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara
– South East: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo
– South South: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers
– South West: Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo
– Two additional zones based on population (one from the North and one from the South)
4. Upgrade officiating to Nigeria National League level.
5. Request the National Coaches of U-17 and U-20 to visit zones for player scouting, considering talent beyond academy teams.
6. Conduct proper screening for the upcoming NLO Under-19 youth tournament.
7. Express sympathy to the Nigeria Football Federation over the passing of Ex-Super Eagle player Peter Rufai and Coach ‘Professor’ Monday Sinclair.
8. Resolve to support ex-Super Eagle players who are critically ill, upon notification.
9. Invite other NLO chairmen to join the Progressive NLO Chairmen Forum for collaboration.
The NLO Progressive Club Chairmen Forum reaffirmed its commitment to promoting and developing Nigerian football, ensuring a more competitive, sustainable, and successful league. The Forum looks forward to working with relevant stakeholders to implement the resolutions and drive growth and development in Nigerian football.
Issued by:
NLO Progressive Club Chairmen Forum Media
(Review 23rd July, 2025)
