By Kunle Solaja.

Nigeria’s top-flight football league this Tuesday marks 36 years of professionalism, closing another chapter in a journey that transformed the domestic game from an amateur pastime into a supposedly commercial sporting enterprise.

Professional football officially kicked off in Nigeria on May 12, 1990, when Stationery Stores F.C. hosted Heartland, then known as Iwuanyanwu Nationale,  at the waterfront Onikan Stadium, now renamed Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

That historic encounter produced several milestones. Iwuanyanwu Nationale won 2-1 to become the first club to record a victory in Nigeria’s professional era, while defender Ben Iroha etched his name into history as the scorer of the first goal in the professional league.

The launch of professional football came 102 years after England pioneered the concept, following decades of arguments over whether Nigeria possessed the financial and organisational capacity to sustain a professional league.

Ironically, many of the objections raised in the 1950s centred on issues that still challenge the Nigerian game today,  poor infrastructure, inadequate funding and weak club administration.

Former NFA chairman Derby Allen had argued in 1953 that Nigerian clubs lacked the facilities and financial strength required for professionalism. At the time, the old King George V Stadium in Lagos, now Mobolaji Johnson Arena, was virtually the only major football ground in the country.

Critics feared clubs would struggle to pay players, maintain stadiums and manage operational costs.

Yet supporters of professionalism insisted it was the only pathway to football development.

Coach Peter ‘Eto’ Amaechina famously argued in 1969 that Nigeria could never attain World Cup standard without adopting professional football. His prediction proved prophetic as Nigeria qualified for its first FIFA World Cup in 1994, barely four years after the professional league began.

The pioneer professional league featured 16 clubs, among them Enugu Rangers, Shooting Stars SC, Bendel Insurance F.C., Enyimba F.C. and Julius Berger F.C.

Administrators also experimented with innovations to encourage attacking football. Between 1990 and 1994, score draws earned two points while goalless draws attracted only one.

Over the years, the league has experienced dramatic highs and lows — from the fairy-tale triumph of Eagle Cement F.C. in 1997 to the shocking relegation of defending champions Shooting Stars in 1999.

The competition has also undergone several administrative transformations, evolving from NFA control to the Nigeria Premier League, then the League Management Company, and now the Nigeria Premier Football League.

As the NPFL clocks 36, the league remains both a symbol of Nigeria’s football passion and a reminder of the unfinished journey towards building a truly stable and commercially vibrant domestic competition.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has declared that the revival of school football competitions across Nigeria would be the most appropriate way to immortalise late Green Eagles legend, Henry Nwosu.

Dikko made the statement while receiving members of Nwosu’s family, representatives of Imo State Concerned Sports Stakeholders and members of the football icon’s burial committee at his office inside the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

Paying tribute to the late winger, Dikko described Nwosu as one of the most gifted and exciting footballers of his generation, recalling how the former Green Eagles star rose from school football to become a national hero at a young age.

“Henry Nwosu MON started playing for the national team at a very young age. The history of school sports, particularly the Principals Cup, will not be complete without his name,” Dikko said.

“At that very young age, he featured for Nigeria at the AFCON in 1980. He is an example to every aspiring young athlete that it is possible to get to the highest level.”

The NSC chairman noted that Nwosu’s journey from grassroots football to continental glory serves as inspiration for the commission’s renewed emphasis on discovering and nurturing talents through school sports programmes.

According to him, the late footballer should be immortalised in a manner that reflects both his exploits with the national team and his deep roots in school football.

“At the Federal level and in conjunction with the Imo State Government, something should be captured to make sure that his name is engraved in our schools’ sports history,” Dikko added.

“For instance, a school sports tournament should be named after him. It is a huge loss for the nation, and we will do all we can to ensure that his labours are not forgotten.”

Dikko also pledged the commission’s support for all activities lined up for Nwosu’s burial and assured that the NSC would collaborate with the Imo State Government and the Nigeria Football Federation to ensure the late football legend receives a befitting honour.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has declared that the revival of school football competitions across Nigeria would be the most appropriate way to immortalise late Green Eagles legend, Henry Nwosu.

Dikko made the statement while receiving members of Nwosu’s family, representatives of Imo State Concerned Sports Stakeholders and members of the football icon’s burial committee at his office inside the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

Paying tribute to the late winger, Dikko described Nwosu as one of the most gifted and exciting footballers of his generation, recalling how the former Green Eagles star rose from school football to become a national hero at a young age.

“Henry Nwosu MON started playing for the national team at a very young age. The history of school sports, particularly the Principals Cup, will not be complete without his name,” Dikko said.

“At that very young age, he featured for Nigeria at the AFCON in 1980. He is an example to every aspiring young athlete that it is possible to get to the highest level.”

The NSC chairman noted that Nwosu’s journey from grassroots football to continental glory serves as inspiration for the commission’s renewed emphasis on discovering and nurturing talents through school sports programmes.

According to him, the late footballer should be immortalised in a manner that reflects both his exploits with the national team and his deep roots in school football.

“At the Federal level and in conjunction with the Imo State Government, something should be captured to make sure that his name is engraved in our schools’ sports history,” Dikko added.

“For instance, a school sports tournament should be named after him. It is a huge loss for the nation and we will do all we can to ensure that his labours are not forgotten.”

Dikko also pledged the commission’s support for all activities lined up for Nwosu’s burial and assured that the NSC would collaborate with the Imo State Government and the Nigeria Football Federation to ensure the late football legend receives a befitting honour.

Earlier, Nwosu’s eldest sister, Mrs. Ijeoma Onyewuchi, expressed the family’s grief over the passing of the former international, describing him as the only son among four children whose absence would leave a huge vacuum.

She praised his immense contribution to Nigerian football and appealed to the NSC to support the family in organising a successful burial ceremony.

Speaking on behalf of Imo State Concerned Sports Stakeholders, Dr. Geoffrey Ogu called on the Federal Government and the Imo State Government to immortalise Nwosu through football programmes and projects that would inspire future generations.

Ogu also appealed for a state burial for the late football icon, noting that such recognition would determine the level of honour, funding and participation from both governments.

He further requested official approval for national honours during the burial rites, including draping the casket with the Nigerian flag, the recitation of the national anthem and the observance of a minute’s silence.

Nwosu, a member of Nigeria’s victorious 1980 Africa Cup of Nations squad, died on March 14, 2026, at the age of 62.

The former Green Eagles star is scheduled to be buried on June 6, 2026, in his hometown of Naze, Imo State, with several activities already planned in his honour.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

By Kunle Solaja, Ikenne

Former champions Bayelsa United and Wikki Tourists have been relegated from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after dramatic Matchday 37 defeats left the title race and survival battle heading into a tense final day on May 24.

At the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Bayelsa United suffered a 2-1 defeat to Remo Stars despite taking an early lead through Ofem Nneoyi in the seventh minute. The striker raced through on goal before calmly finishing past goalkeeper Adebiyi Obassa.

Remo Stars responded before the break when Alex Oyowah rose highest to head home the equaliser five minutes before halftime. Veteran forward Victor Mbaoma then struck the decisive goal in the 64th minute to hand the hosts a crucial victory that preserved their hopes of top-flight survival.

In Bauchi, Wikki Tourists twice led against Rivers United but eventually crashed 3-2 at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in a pulsating encounter that also kept the title race alive until the final day.

Jonathan Mairiga gave Wikki the lead in the 21st minute before Handsome Surveyor restored parity for Rivers United in the 34th minute. Imamu Bala put Wikki ahead again four minutes into the second half, but Chijioke Mbaoma levelled for the visitors before Taofeek Otaniyi netted the dramatic winner in the 85th minute.

Rivers United’s late winner proved decisive for the championship race. For much of the afternoon, the Rangers looked set to clinch the title after establishing what had become a four-point lead while Rivers were trailing in Bauchi.

However, Rivers United’s comeback reduced Rangers’ advantage to just one point, ensuring the battle for the NPFL crown will be settled on the final day of the season.

Rangers, the only NPFL club never to have suffered relegation, edged Bendel Insurance 2-1 in Enugu to stay top of the table on 65 points. Godwin Obaje scored twice for the Flying Antelopes, while Alex Oweilayefa grabbed Bendel Insurance’s goal.

Rivers United remain second on 64 points and will host Katsina United on the final day, while Rangers travel to Lagos for a difficult encounter against Ikorodu City.

The race for continental qualification also intensified after Shooting Stars defeated Barau FC 1-0 in Ibadan courtesy of Lucky Emmanuel’s first-half strike. The Oluyole Warriors climbed to third place with 60 points.

Ikorodu City, however, suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat away to Katsina United. Jamilu Yusuf scored twice for the hosts, while Azeez Falolu and Daniel Agara added further goals. Abayomi Ayodeji scored Ikorodu City’s lone goal.

Kano Pillars boosted their survival hopes with a narrow 1-0 win over Warri Wolves thanks to a Rabiu Ali penalty, while Federation Cup holders Kwara United defeated Enyimba 2-0 through Bright Babatunde’s first-half brace.

In Lafia, Nasarawa United beat Plateau United 1-0 with Jofrank Istifanus scoring the only goal, though the result was not enough to keep them in contention for a continental ticket.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the round came in Aba, where Kun Khalifat stunned Abia Warriors 2-0. Uchechukwu Onuoha scored both goals to move the newcomers closer to securing another season in the NPFL.

El-Kanemi Warriors and Niger Tornadoes played out a goalless draw in Maiduguri.

With one round of matches remaining, Rangers lead the standings on 65 points, one ahead of Rivers United, while Bayelsa United and Wikki Tourists are confirmed as the two relegated sides

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H