NNL confirms promotion of four clubs to NPFL

Ratifies relegation of Gombe United, Rovers, eight others to NLO

Four clubs have earned promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) after the Nigeria National League (NNL) board confirmed the movement of clubs following the conclusion of the 2025/2026 league season — while ten others were relegated to the Nationwide League One (NLO).

The decisions were reached at the NNL’s end-of-season board meeting held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at the auditorium of Beyond Limits FC, Ikenne, Ogun State.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the board named the four promoted clubs as Doma FC, Sporting Lagos, Ranchers Bees, and Inter Lagos FC.

The ten clubs relegated to the NLO are Gombe United FC, Sporting Supreme FC, Mighty Jets, City FC, Dakkada FC, Abia Comets FC, Gateway FC, First Bank FC, Osun United FC, and Rovers Football Club.

The communiqué also expressed appreciation to Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau for his leadership of the federation and his sustained interest in NNL affairs, and to the entire NFF Board for their continued guidance and support.

The board equally thanked Hon. Kunle Soname for his belief in the NNL and for making his facilities at the Remo Stars FC Stadium, Ikenne, Ogun State available to host the 2026 Super 4 competition.

The board applauded the working relationship between the NNL and NALCOMA in the administration of the league, and expressed hope that the collaboration would be strengthened in the 2026/2027 season. It also commended the NFF’s referees and match commissioners appointment committees for their proactive discharge of duties during the season, while acknowledging that room for improvement remains.

The board proposed late July or early August 2026 as the likely window for its Annual General Meeting (AGM), with the host state to be announced at a later date, and passed a vote of confidence on NNL Chairman Mr. George Aluo for his transparency, leadership style, and the transformation he has brought to the second-tier league.