NPFL clubs warned against participating in unsanctioned Youth Leagues

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) board has issued a stern warning to topflight clubs against participating in any youth league not sanctioned by the league body.

In a statement, the NPFL board specifically directed clubs to withdraw from the so-called “N-Youth League”, which has no formal affiliation with the NPFL or the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The league organizers emphasized that the NPFL Youth League remains the only recognized developmental competition for elite division clubs, adding that involvement in unsanctioned tournaments undermines the credibility of official youth structures.

“It will amount to demarketing the NPFL Youth League if clubs in the elite division take part in such competitions alongside lower division and amateur teams,” the board stressed.

The NPFL reaffirmed that it is the only authorized body by the NFF to organize youth football for clubs in the top division and warned that further participation in unauthorized leagues could attract disciplinary measures.

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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