In a formal memo to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), Nkechi Obi, has officially announced the conclusion of the current board’s two-year tenure, highlighting a period of unprecedented transformation in Nigerian women’s football.
The communication, dated 30 June 2025, marks the first time in the country’s football history that a league board has formally acknowledged the end of its service with a structured report detailing its stewardship.
Obi, who assumed leadership following the board’s inauguration in mid-2023, described a term that reshaped the structure, visibility, and financial health of the NWFL.
Expansion Across All Tiers
One of the board’s landmark achievements was the expansion of the NWFL Premiership from 14 to 20 clubs for the 2025/26 season. The Championship League also grew from 12 to 20 clubs, while the Nationwide League was restructured into a States League expected to launch in August 2025 with over 150 teams across 30 states.
Obi attributed this growth to the success of the “Women’s Football Rising” campaign, which aimed to increase the number of registered female players from 450 in 2023 to over 5,000 by the end of 2025.
Breakthrough in Broadcasting and Digital Engagement
The NWFL achieved full live broadcast coverage of all Premiership Super 6 matches in 2024 and 2025—an unprecedented feat. The Championship League also benefitted from global live streaming access.
This visibility led to a significant boost in digital followership across social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok. The NWFL also expanded its presence to LinkedIn, attracting increased corporate attention.
Financial Reforms and Private Sector Confidence
Upon taking office, the board inherited a ₦25 million deficit. By 2024, this had been reversed into a ₦3 million surplus, with stronger projections for 2025.
For the first time in NWFL history, the 2025 Super 6 Tournament was sponsored by a privately owned club—marking a shift away from traditional state-funded support. The number of privately owned Premiership clubs rose from two in 2023 to five in 2025.
Focus on Player Welfare and National Contribution
Player welfare also saw major improvements. The minimum wage increased from ₦30,000 to ₦80,000, while player representation in national teams—Super Falcons, Falconets, and Flamingoes—grew significantly.
Nigeria also returned to the CAF Women’s Champions League, with Bayelsa Queens leading the country’s 2025 charge following a strong 2024 campaign.
Transition and Next Steps
Despite the board’s exit, preparations are underway for the new States League and final Championship fixtures. Obi has instructed the NWFL Chief Operating Officer to complete handover documentation, including a detailed financial report.
She concluded her memo by urging the NFF Executive Committee to promptly reconstitute the NWFL board to sustain the momentum.
“As we bow out, I am proud of what we accomplished together,” Obi wrote. “We’ve built a foundation that I hope future boards can build on.”
Obi’s parting remarks reflect both a celebration of a transformative era and a call for continued progress in women’s football—a sport that, under her leadership, reached new heights in Nigeria.
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