FORMAL NOTICE ON PARTICIPATION IN UNAUTHORIZED PRIVATE LEAGUES
It has come to the attention of the Nationwide League One (NLO) that some member clubs may be participating in, or making plans to participate in, private leagues operating outside the jurisdiction, approval, and regulatory framework of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Nationwide League One.
In this regard, all member clubs are hereby reminded of the provisions of NLO Regulation 3.01(6), which states that: “Players/clubs registered with the NLO shall not be allowed to play for any private league other than the national leagues under the Nigeria Football Federation.”
The NLO wishes to emphasize that participation in unauthorized, private, or unapproved leagues constitutes a serious breach of the applicable football regulations and is inconsistent with the principles and regulatory framework governing organized football.
The football pyramid is structured to ensure that recognized competitions operate under appropriate administrative, technical, disciplinary, medical, and regulatory oversight.
Compliance with these structures is essential to safeguarding the integrity of competitions and promoting the sustainable development of clubs, players, and officials.
Participation in unauthorized private leagues may expose clubs, players, and officials to significant risks, including, but not limited to:
Loss of insurance and medical protection available under approved competitions.
Ineligibility or complications with official NFF/FIFA player registration and transfer systems.
Disruption of the official competition calendar, including potential player fatigue and fixture conflicts.
Disciplinary proceedings, which may result in sanctions ranging from warnings and fines to suspension or expulsion from the NLO.
Potential withdrawal or non-renewal of the club’s NLO licence, subject to the applicable regulations and disciplinary procedures.
FORMAL DIRECTIVE
This communication therefore serves as a formal warning and directive to all NLO-affiliated clubs.
All clubs registered with the Nationwide League One are required to ensure that their competitive activities remain within competitions duly sanctioned and recognized by the NFF and the NLO, as applicable.
Any club found to be actively participating in, organizing, facilitating, or committing its players to an unauthorized private league may be deemed to have breached its membership obligations and the applicable NLO regulations.
Where a breach is established, the affected club may be subjected to an immediate disciplinary review in accordance with the relevant rules and procedures. Such proceedings may lead to appropriate sanctions, including the withdrawal of the club’s NLO licence and exclusion from current or future NLO competitions, where warranted.
All clubs are therefore advised to review their existing and proposed competitive commitments immediately and take all necessary steps to ensure full compliance with the applicable NLO and NFF regulations.
Should any club require clarification regarding the interpretation or application of these provisions, such enquiries should be directed to the NLO Secretariat through the appropriate official channels.
The Nationwide League One counts on the cooperation of all member clubs in preserving the integrity, credibility, and proper administration of organized football in Nigeria.
All clubs are urged to take this directive seriously and ensure strict adherence to the governing regulations.
NLO issues key guidelines on revamped NLO CUP
The Nationwide League One Secretariat has issued further instructions and key guidelines concerning the revamped NLO CUP registration process, payment methods, and international broadcasting arrangements.
The official kickoff date for the Remodelled NLO Cup is October 10th, 2026.
To confirm participation, all eligible clubs from NLO Division 1 and the NLO Youth League U19 must pay a non-refundable registration fee of One Million Naira (#1,000,000.00).
This fee covers tournament logistics, and payments should be made directly into the official FCMB Bank Nationwide League One account: 3267800014. Proof of payment must then be sent to the NLO Secretariat for verification.
The grassroots football regulatory body has also outlined the Tournament Format and Home Grounds, which will feature a regional home-and-away format. Clubs can select their home ground or, with approval, share grounds with nearby teams facing logistical challenges to maintain consistent fixtures.
To promote ROI (Return on Investment) and support player development, every match will be live-streamed on the official NLO platform, allowing international scouts, club directors, and foreign agents to observe performances in real-time via technology partners.
Futbol Connect, a global talent platform that links players to scouts, agencies, and clubs worldwide, will be active. SofaScore will provide live scores, detailed player statistics, and analytics globally, while Zkyte Technologies will handle streaming, digital infrastructure, and broadcasting technology.
Clubs are required to pay the registration fee into the FCMB account and submit payment proof, along with home ground details, to the League Manager before October 10th to secure zone placement. They should also update team rosters and player profiles for digital media, registration, and broadcast profiles.
Clubs are encouraged to leverage this digital exposure to boost player prospects internationally. For further inquiries, contact the League Manager at the NLO Secretariat.