A fresh controversy is brewing in the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) as serious allegations have emerged over the ownership and payment status of a Premiership slot reportedly purchased by Osun Babes from Imo Striker Queens ahead of the 2025/2026 season.
In an exclusive confirmation granted to JOJ Active Arena, Chidi Prince, Chairman of Imo Striker Queens, revealed that the transaction for the NWFL slot remains incomplete, despite Osun Babes already participating in the league.
According to Chidi Prince, the agreement for the sale of the NWFL Premiership slot was reached on 31st October, with Osun Babes paying ₦10 million upfront.
“They paid only 10m. We agreed they would pay the balance by the end of November,” he stated.
However, several months later, the remaining ₦15 million has allegedly not been paid, and communication has reportedly broken down entirely.
“Till now there is no positive response. They keep saying the government doesn’t have money,” he added.
More troubling is the claim that Osun Babes’ management stopped responding altogether after the agreed payment deadline passed.
“The agreement date passed. I tried several times, but the management refused to reply my messages,” Chidi Prince alleged.
He further emphasized that this is the first time he has experienced such a situation in football dealings.
“I have never had this type of experience with any club before,” he said.
The Imo Striker chairman did not hide his frustration, directing his disappointment squarely at both the Osun State Government and the club’s management.
“I felt disappointed with Osun State government and the team management,” he said, noting that the unpaid balance has affected Imo Striker Queens significantly.
For a club selling its top-flight slot, such funds are often critical for restructuring, settling obligations, or planning for the future making the alleged default even more damaging.
With Week 7 of the season already completed, the controversy threatens to cast a shadow over league governance and competitive integrity.
Slot purchases are not just administrative transactions, they determine who belongs at the top level of Nigerian women’s football. If unresolved, this dispute could set a dangerous precedent, encouraging half-paid deals and weakening trust among clubs.
As of publication, Osun Babes have not publicly responded to these claims.
For now, one thing is clear:
This is no longer just a rumour, it is a confirmed dispute, backed by an on-record source, and one the NWFL cannot afford to ignore.
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