Founded | 1972 |
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Country | Nigeria |
Confederation | CAF |
Number of teams | 20 |
Level on pyramid | 1 |
Relegation to | Nigeria National League |
Domestic cup(s) | Nigerian FA Cup Nigerian Super Cup Super 4 (Nigeria) |
International cup(s) | Champions League Confederation Cup |
Current champions | Enyimba F.C. (2019) [1] |
Most championships | Enyimba F.C. (8) |
TV partners | SuperSport |
Website | npfl |
Current: 2018–19 Nigeria Professional Football League |
The Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) is the highest level of the Nigerian football league system, for the Nigerian Club-football Championships. But the Nigerian top-division had experienced many dwindling fortunes, since the late 2000s. [2] [3] It is fed into by the Nigeria National League (NNL). It is organized by the League Management Company (LMC).
It was formerly known as the Nigerian Premier League for the second time, as of the 2012/2013 Season from the 2003/2004 Season; "Nigerian Premiership" (2000–2003); "Nigerian Premier League", first time (1993–2000); "Nigerian Professional League" (1990–1993); Nigerian National League - First Division (1979–1990) and "the (Nigerian) National League" or "Nigerian Football League" (1972–1979), [4]
This is the legal League board or body that was incorporated in November, 2012, by the Nigeria Football Federation to take over the nearly-collapsed NPL. The first step the LMC took was to rebrand the League name,from the Nigerian Premier League to the Nigerian Professional Football League, (NPFL) or simply the Professional 'Football' League) (P'F'L) i.e. just "Professional League" or "Football League" inside Nigeria.[5][6]
In 2015, the League Management Company solicited financial support from the Government in order to "upgrade of existing grounds and provision of required broadcast equipment and facilities in the stadiums”.[7]
On 27, April 2016, The Liga de Fútbol Profesional (LFP) organizers of the La Liga sealed a five-year memorandum of understanding deal with the NPFL on capacity building and idea exchange signed by the League Management Company chairman, Shehu Dikko and the La Liga President Javier Tebas. The NPFL and La Liga partnership has already started bearing fruit as during the January transfer window, Super Eagles fringe player Ezekiel Bassey was signed on loan from Enyimba to Barcelona B on a six-month deal with an option of 3-years come end of the season based on performance. The NPFL AllStars (made up of the league's best players) have also been playing Pre-Season as well as Winter break friendlies with top flight Spanish sides like Atlético Madrid, Malaga, Valencia, Villareal etc. In an effort to expose and test Local players against top players and sides.
In Thursday, May 25, 2017, The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) alongside the League Management Company (LMC), also consummated a multi-faceted strategic agreement in general football development with the Football Federation and Premier League body of the Kingdom of Morocco, NFF President Amaju Pinnick and NFF 2nd Vice President/ LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko put pen to paper on a memorandum of understanding with their Moroccan counterparts, the result of detailed discussions, deliberations and considerations over time. The two FA Presidents signed their own sides in the Office of the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football in Rabat, while the LMC 's Chairman, Shehu Dikko and Chairman of the Ligue Nationale de Football Professionnel, (which organises the Botola, Said Naciri signed at the LNFP office, watched by the two FA bosses.[8]
Plateau United F.C. won the league on the 9th of September, 2017, with a 2–0 victory over Enugu Rangers.[9]
In July 2018 the league was postponed indefinitely following crisis in the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).[10][11]
In 2012, the NPL was ranked as the best in Africa and 24th best in the world by the IFFHS, the rating puts it a spot above the Scottish Premier League for the year.[12][13]
Clubs | Championship | Years |
---|---|---|
Enyimba (Aba) | 8 | 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2015, 2019 |
Rangers International (Enugu) | 7 | 1971, 1974, 1975, 1981, 1982, 1984, 2016 |
Shooting Stars (Ibadan) | 5 | 1976, 1980, 1983, 1995, 1998 |
Iwuanyanwu Nationale (Owerri) | 5 | 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993 |
Kano Pillars (Kano) | 4 | 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014 |
Dolphin (Port Harcourt) (Includes Eagle Cement) | 3 | 1997, 2004, 2011 |
Bendel Insurance (Benin City) | 2 | 1973, 1979 |
Julius Berger (Lagos) | 2 | 1991, 2000 |
Lobi Stars (Makurdi) | 2 | 1999, 2018 |
BCC Lions (Gboko) | 1 | 1994 |
Stationery Stores (Lagos) | 1 | 1992 |
Leventis United (Ibadan) | 1 | 1986 |
Plateau United (Jos) | 1 | 2017 |
Bayelsa United (Yenegoa) | 1 | 2009 |
Ocean Boys (Brass) | 1 | 2006 |
Udoji United (Awka) | 1 | 1996 |
New Nigeria Bank (Benin City) | 1 | 1985 |
Racca Rovers (Kano) | 1 | 1978 |
Mighty Jets (Jos) | 1 | 1972 |
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Men |
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League system |
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Domestic cups |
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Awards |
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Lists |
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