In a rare twist that has set the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) community buzzing, Benue Queens and Imo Striker Queens, two clubs that earned their way into the top flight, have sold their NWFL Premiership slots, allowing Pacesetter Queens of Oyo State and Osun Babes of Osun State to take their places ahead of the 2025/26 NWFL Premiership season.
It’s the kind of “transfer deal” no one saw coming, not involving players or coaches, but entire club identities. Just weeks before the new season, the balance of power in Nigerian women’s football has shifted dramatically, with two fresh forces from the South West taking over the elite stage.
After narrowly missing promotion at the end of the 2025 NWFL Championship, Osun Babes appeared destined to spend another year in the lower division. But football, as they say, never runs out of surprises.
Through an administrative takeover, the Osogbo-based side has officially acquired the Premiership slot of Imo Striker Queens, who themselves gained promotion from the same group earlier this year. The move reportedly received the green light from the Osun State Government, allowing the “Omoluabi Queens” to return to the top flight in style.
For fans in Osogbo, the announcement is more than just a comeback, it’s redemption. The team, known for producing homegrown talents and maintaining a loyal fanbase, will now have another chance to reclaim its place among Nigeria’s elite women’s clubs.
In Ibadan, excitement is also building as Pacesetter Queens, a newly established side owned by the Oyo State Government, confirmed their official entry into the Premiership. The club acquired the slot of Benue Queens, who opted to bow out of the top flight despite securing promotion.
The development positions Pacesetter Queens as the official women’s team of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), aligning Oyo State with CAF’s club licensing regulations that mandate men’s teams to maintain active women’s sections to compete continentally.
The Oyo outfit is expected to inject new life and funding into women’s football in the region, further solidifying the South West’s growing dominance in the NWFL.
With these new additions, the South West zone now boasts seven Premiership clubs, more than any other region in Nigeria. The lineup includes FC Robo Queens (Lagos), Dannaz Ladies (Lagos), Remo Stars Ladies (Ogun), Castmog Ladies (Ogun), Sunshine Queens (Ondo), Osun Babes (Osun), and Pacesetter Queens (Oyo).
This regional surge underscores the South West’s increasing investment in female football development, from youth academies to state-backed teams, making it the undisputed hub of women’s football in the country.
The 2025 NWFL Annual General Assembly (AGA), scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt on October 29, 2025, will officially ratify these slot transfers and unveil the kickoff date and fixtures for the 2025/26 Premiership season.
Fans, club owners, and administrators are eagerly anticipating the discussions, which promise to shape the future of women’s football in Nigeria. But one thing is already certain with Osun Babes and Pacesetter Queens now in the mix, the 2025/26 NWFL Premiership season is set to deliver new rivalries, renewed passion, and record-breaking excitement.
From Benue to Ibadan, and Owerri to Osogbo, this unexpected shift marks a new chapter in Nigerian women’s football. While some see the sale of league slots as a worrying trend, others view it as a necessary evolution one that gives ambitious states and clubs a chance to rise.
For now, the message is clear: the South West isn’t just participating it’s dominating.
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