NLO Sets April Kickoff, Unveils New Logo

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

The Nationwide League One (NLO), on friday confirmed a tentative kickoff date of Friday, April 10, 2026, for the Africa’s largest youth domestic football league.

The major announcement in preparation for the 2026 campaign was made during it Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja where the NLO also unveiled a refreshed logo, and introduced critical amendments to its rules and regulations.

NLO leadership expressed deep appreciation to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for its continuous support.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to NFF President, Alhaji Shehu Gusau, whose steadfast commitment has been instrumental in lifting our league to new heights,” the NLO hierarchy noted.

NLO Executive Board Chairman, Silas Agara, highlighted the league’s progress over the past year, driven by stronger collaboration between the Board and the Secretariat.

“We’ve seen remarkable growth, improved competitiveness, rising match attendance, increased media visibility, and more young talents breaking onto both national and international stages,” he said.

A major highlight of the AGM was the unveiling of the league’s rebranded visual identity, introduced by the Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment in partnership with Zkyte Technology.

“This collaboration signals a new era of innovation and global-standard administration for the NLO,” he stated.

Honourable Silas added that the new logo reflects the league’s mission to deepen grassroots development across more than 300 clubs and academies in Division One and the U19 Youth League.

“It symbolizes talent, athleticism, and our relentless pursuit of excellence,” he noted.

On the updated rules and regulations, he emphasized that the amendments represent “a new chapter” aimed at strengthening the league’s structure and shaping the future of football across the country.