NNL abolishes Super 8 as 2025/26 season kick-off date confirmed

The Nigeria National League (NNL) has unveiled a series of major reforms as it prepares for the 2025/2026 season, following resolutions reached at its 16th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 5th Chukker Resort, Maraban Jos, Kaduna State. In a landmark move, the AGM voted to abolish the long-standing Super […]

The Nigeria National League (NNL) has unveiled a series of major reforms as it prepares for the 2025/2026 season, following resolutions reached at its 16th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 5th Chukker Resort, Maraban Jos, Kaduna State.

In a landmark move, the AGM voted to abolish the long-standing Super 8 playoff competition, which had previously determined promotion to the topflight Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) in a communiqué issued. Going forward, the winners of each of the four conferences will secure automatic promotion to the NPFL.

In a communiqué signed by the drafting committee consisting of Mr. Michael Chukwuemeka (Chairman), Mallam Ahmed Egye (Member), and Mr. Nicholas Akujobi (Secretary).

To determine the overall league champion, a Super 4 tournament will now be staged at the end of every season. However, the AGM warned that any conference-winning club that refuses to participate in the Super 4 will automatically forfeit its promotion rights to the runner-up in that conference.

The AGM commended the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), praising the “extraordinary ability” of NFF President Ibrahim Gusau in steering Nigerian football and acknowledging the support of the entire board in elevating the NNL into what delegates described as the country’s “most important league.”

One of the key decisions taken was the confirmation of Saturday, November 8, 2025, as the official kick-off date for the new season. The campaign will begin with a star match, while other Week One fixtures will hold across the country on November 14, 15, and 16.

In a bid to streamline competition and ensure fairness, the NNL also approved an abridged league format, dividing teams into four conferences — A, B, C, and D.