Nigeria Football Federation Warns Clubs on Licensing Ahead of New Season

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is signaling a new era of strict compliance for Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs, emphasizing adherence to licensing regulations for the upcoming 2026/27 season. This directive comes with the full backing of the National Sports Commission (NSC), which is committed to supporting the NFF's enforcement efforts.

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The Executive Committee hailed the pronouncement by the National Sports Commission that it is ready to provide full support to the NFF for the strict enforcement of the club licensing regulations, and to shun any attempt by any club to circumvent any of the provisions in the regulations.

The NSC's involvement signals a broader reform agenda for Nigerian football. Chairman Shehu Dikko recently unveiled plans for a substantial N2.5 billion prize pool for the 2026/27 NPFL season. Additionally, a proposal to raise the minimum player salary from N150,000 to N2 million aims to significantly enhance the league's professionalism and player welfare.

Director-General Bukola Olopade articulated the NSC's vision, stating, "We are determined to reform the league. We are going to reform the league." She highlighted the unprecedented support from President Bola Tinubu and the private sector, which is fueling these ambitious changes. Olopade believes that a strong domestic league is foundational to improving national teams and overall football administration structures in Nigeria.

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We are determined to reform the league. We are going to reform the league. With President Bola Tinubu and the private sector, the funding that we are enjoying now has never been in the history of Nigerian sports.

The proposed N2 million minimum wage is intended to make the league more competitive and retain talent within the country. "We cannot continue to see our players leave Nigeria for leagues in countries like Benin Republic and Vietnam to earn as little as 800 dollars," Olopade stated. The goal is to create a professional environment where players can develop and thrive domestically.

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We can reform our football through the league. If we get the league right, we get the national teams right and we get football administration structures put in place.

The NPFL board has set a tentative start date of August 27 for the 2026/27 season, with the campaign expected to conclude on May 28, 2027. The inclusion of fixtures for the President Federation Cup indicates a move towards a more structured and organized domestic football calendar.

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We cannot continue to see our players leave Nigeria for leagues in countries like Benin Republic and Vietnam to earn as little as 800 dollars. We must build a professional league that provides the right environment for players to develop and thrive.