2026 NNL AGM : We’re on a Mission to improve the League — Aluo

By Everest Ezihe, Owerri

The Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL) Board, Mr. George Aluo, has declared that the board remains unwavering in its mission and vision to holistically improve and reposition the nation’s foremost second-tier football league.

Aluo also commended the Imo State Government, led by Governor Hope Uzodimma, for its commitment to sports development, particularly football.

The NNL Board Chairman stated this on Saturday at a prestigious hotel in Owerri while responding to questions from sports journalists shortly after the successful 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the league, held in the Imo State capital.

According to him, the successful hosting of the AGM was an indication that the NNL was heading into another promising season.

“You can see that the AGM went very well, and we give God all the glory. Our vision and mission have always been to make the league better, and I can see that with the way this AGM has gone in Owerri, we are in for another good season.

“Let me express my gratitude to the Imo State Government for giving us an enabling environment to host a successful AGM. I think this probably will be the best AGM that we’ve had since we came on board, and this is courtesy of the Imo State Government under Governor Hope Uzodimma.

“I can boldly say that it is part of their commitment towards sports development, especially football. I’m proud to be part of it and to be from this state, the Eastern Heartland. Thank you to His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, Onwa Oyoko.”

Aluo noted that the visiting clubs and delegates had witnessed firsthand the level of development taking place in Imo State.

He disclosed that the NNL would soon return to Owerri for the opening match of the new season, which will feature Heartland FC against Crown FC of Ogbomosho.

“I think all the clubs that came here have seen that Imo is getting the dividends of democracy. And for us, it’s a good thing that we’re here.

“Interestingly, we are coming back here again for the season’s opener, which will be Heartland FC against Crown FC of Ogbomosho. I wish all the teams the very best of luck ahead of the October 31 kick-off date,” he stated.

The Board Chairman further revealed that part of the ongoing structural reforms was the gradual reduction in the number of clubs participating in the league.

According to him, the NNL initially had 40 clubs before it was reduced to 36, then 35 last season, and now 34 clubs for the forthcoming campaign.

“We are looking at next season when we’ll come down to 32 clubs. And when we come down to 32, instead of four conferences, we will have two conferences, A and B, comprising 16 clubs each.

“That is where we want to be, and this is the mandate that has been given to us by the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.”

Aluo reiterated that another major commitment of the board was to maintain a consistent football calendar.

“You can see that our calendar has been consistent since we came on board. The era when you do not know when to start the league and when to end it is gone.

“We are starting again this year in October, and by April we will be done. When we are done in April, we’ll go and play the Super Four, just as we did this year.”

He explained that an organised calendar would give promoted clubs adequate time to prepare for life in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

According to him, poor scheduling in the past contributed to the immediate relegation of some promoted clubs because they had little or no time to strengthen their teams before the start of the next NPFL season.

“When we came on board, we identified that one of the problems that made our teams go up and come down again immediately was the failure to structure the calendar properly.

“But if you look at what we have done now, the clubs that gain promotion will finish our season well ahead of the next NPFL season. That way, they are able to prepare very well ahead of the new season.”

He added that the improved structure was already reflecting in the performances of NNL clubs in both the NPFL and the President Federation Cup.

Aluo said NNL clubs had consistently reached the latter stages of the Federation Cup in recent seasons, describing the league as increasingly competitive and strong.

“Nobody is talking about NNL clubs not doing well in the Federation Cup. In the last three seasons, it has either been NNL clubs winning it or getting to the final.

“This year, even though we didn’t get to the final, at least five of our teams got as far as the quarter-finals.

“So you can see that the NNL is very strong and very competitive, and it can only get better.”

As part of efforts to further improve the league, Aluo disclosed that the board had signed a television production rights agreement with Toptier Sports Management Company.

According to him, the partnership was responsible for the improved quality and visibility of NNL matches on YouTube and other social media platforms.

He said the board was also encouraging clubs to stream their matches live in order to bring the league closer to football lovers across the country.

“We want a situation where we can stay in Abuja and watch our games live.”

The NNL boss, however, warned that clubs with poor playing surfaces would not be allowed to host matches at unsuitable venues.

He disclosed that every club would henceforth be required to provide an alternative venue in addition to its designated home ground.

“We are not only going to approve TV-friendly stadiums. If a club does not have a good pitch, we will banish the club.

“For every venue, we will certainly have an alternative venue. Once you give us a venue, you will equally give us an alternative venue so that at any point where your pitch is not good, we take you to the alternative venue.”

Aluo also identified the introduction and expansion of night football as another strategic initiative of the board.
He revealed that about eight clubs had indicated their readiness and capacity to host matches under floodlights.

“During the AGM, we asked clubs to tell us those that have the capacity to take games live at night, and happily, about eight clubs have identified that they can play night matches.

“Some of these games might come at night because, for us, football is about entertainment and fun. We want a situation where families can come out and watch night games.”

He said the vision was to make football an integral part of festive celebrations, including Christmas, Sallah and the New Year.

“We don’t want a situation where during Christmas or Sallah somebody will say, ‘Postpone our match.’ No. Football should be part of Christmas, Sallah and festive fun.
“Football should be part of New Year fun. During Sallah, you should be able to take your family to the stadium and enjoy yourself.”

According to him, this can only be achieved with stadiums that are television-friendly, spectator-friendly and adequately secured.

On plans to avoid possible disruptions during the 2027 general elections, Aluo said the NNL Board had already taken the election period into consideration in its future planning.

He said there would be room for the rescheduling of matches and possible breaks where necessary.

“No doubt, there will be room for rescheduling of matches because we know that 2027 is an election year.

“We pray that the election will be very peaceful in our dear country, Nigeria, because that is where we are going to elect new leaders for our country.

“During that period, we have looked at that too. Certainly, there will be breaks as the case may be because you have to factor the election into your football competitions calendar.”

The NNL Chairman maintained that with the ongoing reforms in league administration, calendar management, television coverage, stadium facilities and competition structure, the nation’s second-tier league was firmly on the path to becoming bigger, stronger and more attractive to football stakeholders and fans.