Women’s football in Nigeria has taken another giant step forward as the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) officially announced the return of the NWFL Nationwide League for the 2025 season. The decision, made public by the NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, on Tuesday, August 19, marks the restoration of the third tier of women’s football in the country, two years after it was last held in 2023.
The NWFL Nationwide is widely regarded as a crucial foundation in the women’s football pyramid, acting as the bridge between grassroots football and the higher leagues, the Championship (second tier) and the Premiership (top tier). Its reinstatement is not just a victory for the NWFL, but also a massive boost for female players, academies, and clubs across Nigeria who have been yearning for a competitive platform at the grassroots level.
The Nationwide League was last staged in 2023, but it was scrapped in 2024 in favor of a short-lived “States League.” That experiment, however, did not meet expectations and was eventually suspended. With the 2025 season already buzzing after the announcement of the NWFL Championship scheduled for September, the return of the Nationwide ensures that all three tiers of women’s football in Nigeria are now active again.
According to Shabi, the comeback was made possible thanks to the recommendations and approval of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) leadership under President Ibrahim Gusau. She described the Nationwide as a “significant step” towards strengthening the overall structure of women’s football in Nigeria.
“The reinstatement of the NWFL Nationwide is a significant step towards strengthening the women’s football pyramid in Nigeria, hugely thanks to the President Ibrahim Gusau-led NFF board,” she stated. “As the third tier, it plays a vital role in discovering and nurturing talent, giving more grassroots clubs and players the opportunity to compete, grow, and aspire to higher levels of the game.”
The NWFL has announced that registration officially opens on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, and closes on September 26, 2025. Interested clubs across the country are required to send their entries to operations@thenwfl.com within the stipulated period, as no late applications will be entertained.
The registration process is a key opportunity for grassroots clubs to officially align themselves with the women’s football structure in Nigeria. Participation in the Nationwide not only provides visibility for players and teams but also gives them a legitimate pathway to move into the higher tiers of competition.
Key Dates for the 2025 NWFL Nationwide
Registration Period: August 19 – September 26, 2025
Tournament Dates: October 3 – October 12, 2025
Venue: To be announced by the NWFL in due course
The relatively short but competitive tournament will feature clubs from across the country, with matches to be held at a host venue that is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The restoration of the Nationwide carries significance for several reasons:
1. Grassroots Development: Many top Nigerian female players began their journeys at grassroots levels before making it to bigger clubs and even the national team. The Nationwide gives upcoming players that essential first stage to shine.
2. Pathway to the Championship: Clubs that excel in the Nationwide will have the chance to progress to the Championship, and eventually, to the elite NWFL Premiership.
3. Opportunities for Coaches and Officials: Beyond players, the competition provides exposure for coaches, referees, and club officials, improving the entire ecosystem of women’s football in Nigeria.
4. Reviving Dormant Clubs: Many clubs had gone quiet after the Nationwide was discontinued. Its return provides these teams with an official platform to return to competitive football.
The reinstatement of the NWFL Nationwide is part of the league’s broader vision to build a solid women’s football structure in Nigeria that can compete globally. It aligns with ongoing efforts to not only strengthen domestic leagues but also produce more quality players for the Super Falcons, Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, which continues to dominate the continent.
Grassroots football has always been the heartbeat of Nigerian sports, and the NWFL’s decision is a direct response to calls from clubs, academies, and stakeholders who believe the Nationwide is indispensable for the game’s growth.
As the countdown begins toward October 3, clubs and fans alike will be eagerly waiting for the NWFL to unveil the host venue, which will likely become the hub of grassroots women’s football action for the 2025 season.
The NWFL has made a bold and commendable step by reviving the Nationwide after a two-year break. For the young girls playing in local academies, for the coaches working tirelessly to train them, and for the fans supporting grassroots football, this return is more than just a league, it is a symbol of hope and opportunity.
With registration now open, the stage is set. The Nationwide is back, and Nigerian women’s football is stronger for it.
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