On 27 January 2026, football stakeholders from across Nigeria’s second-tier league converged at the Remo Stars Stadium auditorium in Ikenne for what is fast becoming one of the most pivotal events in the calendar of the Nigeria National League, the NNL.
It was termed the NNL/NALCOMA Mid-Season Retreat.
Organized jointly by the NNL Board and the National League Club Owners and Managers Association (NALCOMA), the retreat offered a platform for review, reflection, and draw resolutions as the league approaches the second half of the 2025/2026 season.
This exercise, which was more or less a mid-season strategic summit, brought together league administrators, club chairmen, NFF officials, sponsors, and other stakeholders to critically evaluate the first stanza of the season and fortify plans for what lies ahead.
Key resolutions from the retreat included a call for higher standards of Fair Play, strengthening security, discipline and match integrity, enhancing competitive rewards and format clarity, sponsorship and commercial growth, as well as strengthened collaboration and governance.
One of the most resounding outcomes of the retreat was the condemnation of “win-at-home-at-all-cost” attitudes exhibited by some clubs, a mindset seen as undermining the ethos of fair competition.
Coupled with this, delegates blasted incidents of harassment and intimidation of match officials, warning that these behaviours have the potential to erode the league’s credibility if left unchecked.
Participants proposed severe measures against substandard refereeing, including outright expulsion of any referee found compromising the Laws of the Game, a recommendation to the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) for lifetime bans for referees and club officials implicated in dubious conduct, and a call to deploy referees from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to officiate NNL matches in the second stanza, expected to enhance fairness and reduce controversy.
The retreat underscored the importance of safe and orderly match environments. In that vein, stakeholders resolved that venues associated with hooliganism, disruptions, or harassment would face heavy penalties.
Equally, clubs must handle mid-season player transfers timely in preparation for the league’s resumption on 14 February 2026.
These resolutions reflect a collective desire to not only enhance competitive balance but also protect the welfare of everyone involved, from players and officials to supporters.
The summit reiterated a decision first taken at the NNL Annual General Meeting in Kaduna: the organization of a Super 4 competition at the end of the season to determine the league’s overall champion. Participation by all eligible clubs is mandatory, failure of which risks forfeiting promotion, a step aimed at strengthening competitiveness and accountability among contenders.
Additionally, there was widespread delight over the anticipated increase in prize money for the Super 4 event, a signal that the league is gaining commercial traction.
A prominent theme at the retreat was appreciation for the partners and sponsors supporting the league’s transformation. The stakeholders applauded BetPawa for implementing the Locker Room Bonus (LRB) scheme and pledging further material support to clubs.
They also welcomed Toptier Sports Management Ltd (TSM) as a new investor, urging accelerated activation of their investment plans before the second stanza kickoff.
They expressed gratitude towards the NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON), for his guidance and unwavering support. This recognition echoes a broader trend of increasing commercial interest in the NNL, something that can only benefit clubs, players, and the league’s overall growth.
The retreat also punctuated the cordial working relationship between the NNL Board and NALCOMA, led respectively by Chief George Aluo and Mr. Godwin Enakhena. While praising this collaboration, delegates stressed the need for improved communication and strategic coordination to speed up decision-making and implementation of key policies.
Declaring the retreat open, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who was represented by the Chairman of Ogun FA, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi commended NNL and NALCOMA for the cordial relationship, which, according to him, is good for the league.
He equally hailed the clubs for their understanding, sacrifice and support.
The Chairman of NNL, George Aluo saluted NFF for giving NNL a clear direction on the way forward, adding that the Board will continue to work hard to ensure a near perfect organisation of the league.
“We shall continuously work hard to ensure a near perfect organization of the League. I wish to reiterate the Board’s strong position to ensure that matches in the NNL receive the best officiating in line with the laws of the game in the second stanza of the league.
“It’s not a misgiving to insinuate that the first round of the 2025/2026 NNL has been one of the most challenging seasons. This has made the Board stronger and more enthusiastic to do better in the second stanza.
He said that the NNL has entered into an investment arrangement with Toptier Sports Management Limited (TSM), where the strong identity of the brand, NNL, is expected to be built and marketed to the world. He commended Betpawa for the Locker Room Bonus arrangement, which has thus far put smiles on the faces of club’s and players in particular.
12 venues have been earmarked for branding by Betpawa, while all the 36 clubs are to benefit two sets of training jerseys, courtesy of Betpawa, with the symbolic presentation fixed for February 21st. League winners will get N15m, while the second, third and fourth placed teams after the Super Four will go home with N10m, N5m and N3m in that order.
He equally mentioned the contributions of Prostar International Limited and Sportlight Hub, as well as the impact of the NYSC TV/Radio, in making live transmission of league matches.
One of Enakhena’s biggest achievements is NALCOMA’s bold stance against bad refereeing, publicly condemning “win-at-all-cost” syndrome and advocating sanctions for corrupt officials. Its also supporting the use of more experienced referees, and this restored confidence among clubs and fans that fairness is being taken seriously.
NALCOMA under Enakhena has consistently defended clubs against unfair sanctions, pushed for transparent rules, ensured clubs are properly consulted before major decisions and this has given clubs a sense of security and representation.
Enakhena’s leadership has promoted better club administration, improved matchday conduct, respect for league regulations, as NALCOMA now emphasizes professionalism over politics.
Previously, club owners often operated in isolation. Enakhena encouraged regular engagement, collective problem-solving, mutual respect among club administrators, and this unity makes the NNL ecosystem more stable and progressive.
NALCOMA has played a major role in shaping the agenda of NNL AGMs, influencing the structure of the Super 4 format, supporting commercial and sponsorship reforms, as the inputs have helped modernize the league’s operations.
Under Enakhena, NALCOMA consistently pushed for improved financial conditions for clubs, better incentive systems, sustainable funding models, which is boosting club morale and competitiveness.
Godwin Enakhena’s tenure has transformed NALCOMA into a bold, organized and respected body that protects club interests, promotes fairness, and supports the professional growth of the Nigeria National League.
In his speech at the Retreat, Enakhena said that, “when the present board of NALCOMA that I am privileged to lead as its President was elected at the NNL Annual General Meeting in Bauchi state in 2024, we had one goal in mind-which was to give the NNL board the needed support to reposition the second tier of the Nigerian league.
“We made it clear that the interest of our members, that won’t be detrimental to the growth of the league, would be paramount at all times. As of today, we are bold to say that NALCOMA has not failed to throw its weight behind all progressive decisions taken by the Chief George Aluo led NNL board. But because we’re humans, we’ve had our disagreements in this relationship. And what we’ve done successfully is to keep our differences in-house. We will continue to do this as major stakeholders in this league.
“We’re all living witnesses to the spirited efforts of the NNL board at sanitizing officiating in the league, but this malaise has eaten so deep into the fabrics of our football at all levels that they now seem helpless. The recent open admission by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the custodian and managers of football in Nigeria, that this cancer is killing the game says it all. To be honest, the performances of referees in the first round of the NNL left so much to be desired.
“We’re here today seeking assurances from the NFF Referees Appointment Committee on the plans they’ve in place that will guarantee improved officiating in the second stanza. NALCOMA championed the call for this Retreat so that we can rub minds with the NNL board on how best to attract bigger and better sponsors for the league.
As we look ahead to the commencement of the second stanza of the season, it is believed that the resolutions reached and agreed upon, will be actualised for the betterment of the League.
Credit: This article written by Jimoh Bashir was first published by https://sportsbash.com.ng/
