Eight Teams Relegated from 2024/2025 Nigerian National League

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Despite reaching the 2025 President Federation Cup final, Abakaliki United has been relegated from the Nigerian National League (NNL). The club, nicknamed the Rice Boys, will face Kwara United in the cup final but couldn’t avoid the drop in the league.

Relegated Teams by Conference:

• Conference A:
  • Abakaliki United
  • Madiba FC (Lagos)
  • Gateway United (Abeokuta)
• Conference B:
  • Ijele FC
  • Igbajo United
  • 1472 FC (Lagos – previously withdrawn)
• Conference C:
  • Zamfara United
• Conference D:
  • Adamawa United

NNL Chairman George Aluo confirmed the relegations align with the preseason agreement at the NNL Congress in Bauchi, where it was decided that eight teams would go down—three each from Conferences A and B, and one from Conferences C and D.

Looking Ahead:

• The NNL will maintain a 36-team structure next season.
• Recently relegated NPFL sides—Lobi Stars, Heartland FC, Sunshine Stars, and Akwa United—will join the NNL campaign.

Oluwaseun Oyediji

Oluwaseun Babatunde Oyediji is a multi-media sports journalist with over 10 years experience in Information Communication Technology (ICT), women's football, and beach soccer reportage.The prolific writer is the Media Assistant to Nigeria Beach Soccer League and Africa Beach Soccer Union as well as contributor on Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) website.He has covered multiple national and international football tournaments including Championship of African Nations (CHAN 2020), CAF Women's Champions League (2023), and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023).Since 2021, Oyediji has covered the NWFL Premiership especially the season ending Super Six Playoffs.A member of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun state chapter is also the image maker of the Remo Sports Development Council under the leadership of Chief Falilat Ogunkoya and David Osuolale.

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