The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), on Friday, announced that the 2025/26 season will officially commence on August 22, 2025, and end on May 24, 2026, as part of efforts to maintain a structured and stable football calendar.

The NPFL board reaffirmed its commitment to driving innovation, enhancing professionalism, and ensuring clubs meet modern football standards in administration, infrastructure, and player welfare.

NPFL Board Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, disclosed this in Abuja, during a press briefing, where he emphasised that maintaining a fixed league calendar is crucial for Nigeria’s improved participation in continental competitions organized by CAF.

In his review of the 2024/25 season, Elegbeleye highlighted several milestones, most notably the historic league win by Remo Stars, who clinched the title with three matches to spare after defeating Niger Tornadoes on Matchday 35 on April 27.

Top scorers included Yusuf Anas of Nasarawa United with 18 goals, followed by veteran Rabiu Ali (13 goals), and Anthony Ijoma of Abia Warriors (12 goals). Anas was also credited with two hat tricks, while Isaac Saviour (Rangers) and Amadu Liman had one each.

Elegbeleye said: “It is my great pleasure and delight to welcome everyone here for a brief review of the highly successful season that began on August 31, 2024, and concluded on May 25, 2025.

“For the first time in many years, perhaps since the start of the new era Nigeria Premier Football League in 2005, (20 years) that a date for kick-off and ending will be faithfully implemented. That is a commitment we made and a promise delivered.

“Today, we are also here to announce that the 2025/26 season will be commencing on August 22 and will be completed on May. 2026. This is to maintain a calendar we have now established from the last season. I’ll now give a summary of the statistics from the last season.”

In his remarks, NPFL’s Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, praised the league board’s ongoing reforms since taking office two seasons ago.

He also emphasised the league’s growing competitive integrity and financial value, noting that, the prize money increased from ₦100 million in 2023/24 to ₦150 million, and currently stands at ₦200 million.

On player welfare, Owumi noted significant progress, saying that: “Before this time, you see players for six months, even up to a year, they haven’t been paid.

“That has been greatly reduced by the board. I think that is done with continues cooperation of everyone, we are getting to a stage where the welfare of the player will becomes a top priority for everyone involved.”