‘We missed NWFL Nationwide’ – Soccer Queen Award organiser seeks third tier return

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Moses Bako Nagogo, the passionate organizer of the Soccer Queens Awards and a dedicated advocate for women’s football, has expressed concern about the void created by the absence of the third-tier Nationwide League in Nigeria’s women’s football pyramid.

The 2024 Soccer Queens Award ceremony, which celebrated outstanding performances in the NWFL Premiership and Championship—the top two tiers of the league—left a notable gap, as no recognition was given to the third-tier Nationwide League.

The Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) had previously announced plans to replace the Nationwide League with state-based leagues across the country.

However, with only Osun State having a fully organized and recognized state league, Bako believes the NWFL should reconsider its decision and reinstate the Nationwide League to preserve the three-tier structure.

“We give glory to God for a successful Soccer Queens Awards 2024, and we know it can only get better year after year,” Bako told NigeriaFootball.ng.

“The awards aim to appreciate excellence in the NWFL Premiership, Championship, and Nationwide, but this year, we missed recognizing the Nationwide category.”

Bako added that the absence of the third-tier league has left many teams and players without the opportunity to progress through the ranks.

“We want to take this opportunity to advise the NWFL board to revisit this issue and bring back the Nationwide League,” he said. “Ahead of the Annual General Assembly (AGA), we urge club owners to push for the return of the Nationwide League.

“State leagues can run in parallel with the Nationwide League, but not all states have the capacity or interest in running their own women’s football league. Some states don’t even have more than two football clubs. In my view, states that are capable of managing a state league should continue with it, while the Nationwide League continues as well.

“Many teams had their hopes dashed this season as they were preparing for promotion to the Championship. The Nationwide League served as a vital stepping stone for clubs aiming for the top flight, and its absence has left a significant gap in the developmental structure.”

Bako’s call for the return of the Nationwide League reflects the importance of maintaining a clear pathway for clubs and players to progress through the ranks of Nigerian women’s football, ensuring that talent at every level is given the opportunity to flourish.