NWFL Insists on November 26 Kickoff Date 

By: Arinzechi Chukwunonso

The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) has issued a strong warning to Premiership clubs yet to complete their digital registration and licensing obligations, cautioning that failure to meet the mandatory requirements before the November 22 deadline will attract strict sanctions — including relegation.

According to league officials, Castmog Ladies, Osun Babes and Naija Ratels are among the teams still behind schedule on the NWFL’s digital documentation platform, which now serves as the central system for club registration and licensing. The league says the digital shift is crucial to improving transparency, accountability and the overall professional structure of women’s football in Nigeria.

NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, reaffirmed the league’s position on full compliance, stressing that the deadline will not be shifted under any circumstances.

“The digital registration and licensing process is designed to ensure that every club meets the minimum professional standards required to compete,” Shabi said.

“We expect full compliance before the November 22 deadline. Any club that fails to meet these financial and administrative obligations will face the consequences as outlined in our regulations. Our commitment is to run a credible, properly structured league.”

Shabi added that strict enforcement of the regulations is part of the NWFL’s broader strategy to strengthen club administration and elevate the quality of the women’s league.

The league further emphasized that the 2025/26 Premiership season will kick off as scheduled on November 26, describing the date as sacrosanct and non-negotiable.

With preparations intensifying across the country, the NWFL says it remains focused on delivering a seamless, competitive and integrity-driven season.