The Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) is Nigeria’s top football league. You have the English Premiership, the Spanish La Liga, and the Italian Serie A; the Nigerian Premier Football League is the equivalent of these leagues mentioned in the hierarchy.
The Nigerian Premier Football League comprises 20 teams from different states in Nigeria. The league has produced very talented players such as Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Ahmed Musa, Mikel Obi, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, and many more.
The league was established in 1972 with a total of 6 teams. These teams are Mighty Jets of Jos, Rangers International of Enugu, Western Nigeria Development Company, Ibadan (now Shooting Stars S.C), Spartans of Owerri (now Heartland F.C), and Vipers of Benin (now Bendel Insurance F.C).
On 12 May 1990, the league was renamed “professional league”, this was geared towards making the league in line with the current realities at that time with more liberty given to the clubs. It is one of the top leagues in Africa today and it has the potential to be greater, but lack of funds and a lack of proper and effective management have hampered its development.
One consistent characteristic of the Nigerian Premier League is its ability to churn out world-class football players who end up playing for top Clubs in Europe and beyond.
Number of Trophies won by the Clubs over the Years
Akwa United Football Club
The Akwa United Football Club was founded in 1997. They are based in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, from where their name is derived. The club is owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government. They play in the 30,000-capacity Godswill Akpabio Stadium for their home games. They have won the Nigerian Premier League in the 2020–2021 season.
Major Trophies Won: 4
- Nigerian Premier League (1): 2020–2021
- Nigerian FA Cup (2): 2015, 2017
- Nigerian Super Cup (1): 2015
Bayelsa United Football Club
This club was founded in 2000. They are owned by the Bayelsa State Government. They are based in Bayelsa State, where they play their home games at the 5,000-capacity Yenagoa Township Stadium.
They won the Nigerian Premier League in 2009, but tragedy struck when their then captain, Abel Tador, was killed some hours after they won the league by armed robbers. They also have the following titles to their credit:
Major Trophies won: 3
- Nigerian Premier League (1): 2009
- Nigerian FA Cup (1): 2021
- Nigerian Super Cup (1): 2009
Bendel Insurance Football Club
Bendel Insurance was established in 1972. They were known as the Vipers of Benin, one of the six (6) teams that formed the league in 1972. They are located in Benin and they are owned by the Edo State government.
They hold their home games at the 12,000-capacity Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City. They have produced footballers like Osaze Odemwinghie, Julius Aghahowa, and Elderson Echiejile, among others. They have won the Premier League title twice: in 1973 and 1979. They also have the following titles to their credit:
Major Trophies won: 11
- Nigerian National League (1): 2022
- West African Club Championship (3): 1993, 1994, and 1995
- CAF Cup (1): 1994
- Nigerian FA Cup (4): 1972, 1978, 1980, and 2023
Enugu Rangers Football Club
The Enugu Rangers football club was founded in 1970. It is one of the six (6) clubs that formed the league in 1972. As their name implies, they are located in Enugu State and they are owned by the Enugu State Government.
They were formerly known as Rangers International of Enugu. They play their home games at the 22,000-capacity Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, Enugu. They have had notable players like Austin Jay Jay Okocha and Christian Chukwu play for them. They have won the Nigerian Premier League seven (7) times.
Major Trophies Won: 18
- African Cup Winners Cup: 1977
- Nigerian FA Cup (6): 1974, 1975, 1976, 1981, 1983, 2018
- Nigerian Super Cup (1): 2004
Enyimba Football Club
Established in 1976, Enyimba Football Club is the most successful Nigerian club. They boasted a record nine (9) Premier League titles and two (2) back-to-back CAF Champions League trophies in 2003 and 2004, among others.
They are based in Aba, Abia State, where they play their home games at the 16,000-capacity Enyimba International Stadium, Aba. They are owned by the Abia State Government. They have produced players like Vincent Enyeama, Kalu Uche, and Dele Aiyenugba, among others.
Major Trophies Won: 22
- Nigerian Super Cup (4): 2001, 2003, 2010, 2013
- National Second Division (1): 1993
- Nigerian FA Cup: 2005, 2009, 2013, 2014
- CAF Super Cup: 2004, 2005
Heartland Football Club
Formerly known as Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Heartland F.C. was formed in 1976. They are one of the six clubs that formed the league in 1972. They are located in Owerri, Imo State. They play their home games at the 10,000-capacity Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, in Imo state South East Nigeria.
They are owned by the Imo State Government. They have had players like Finidi George, Isaac Okoronkwo, and Nwankwo Kanu, among others. They currently have five (5) league titles to their credit.
Major Trophies Won: 11
- Nigerian FA Cup (3): 1988, 2011, 2012
- Nigerian Super Cup (2): 2011, 2012.
- Nigeria National League (1): 2023
Kano Pillars Football Club
They were formed in 1990 in Kano State. They have been one of the most consistent teams from the North in the Nigerian Premier League.
They play their home games at the 16,000-capacity Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano. Footballers like Ahmed Musa and Sani Keita, among others. They are owned by the Kano State Government They have won the Nigerian Premier League four (4) times.
Major Trophies Won: 6
- Premier League (4)
- Nigerian FA Cup (1): 2019.
- Nigerian Super Cup (1): 2008.
Lobi Stars Football Club
This Makurdi-based club was established in 1981. Currently at the top of the Nigerian Premier League, they are one of the most popular Premier League clubs in Nigeria. They play their home games at the 8,000-capacity Aper Aku Stadium. Some notable names to have played for them include Taye Taiwo, Garba Lawal, and Dominic Iorfa, among others.
They are owned by the Benue State Government. They won the Nigerian League once, in 1999.
Major Trophies Won: 4
- Premier League (1): 1999
- Nigerian Super Cup: 1999, and 2018
- Nigerian FA Cup: 2003
Niger Tornadoes Football Club
They are based in Minna, Niger State. They were established in 1977 and are one of the oldest football clubs in Nigeria. Their home games are played at the 5,000 Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna. Footballers like Tijani Babangida and Shuaibu Amodu have played for this club.
They are owned by the Niger State Government. They have never won the league title but have the following titles on their record:
Major Trophies Won: 3
- Nigerian FA Cup (1): 2000
- National Second Division (2): 1996, 2015.
Plateau United Football Club
They were founded in 1975 and are based in Jos, the capital of Plateau State. They play their home games at the 60,000 capacity New Jos Stadium which is one of the biggest in the country. Players like Mikel Obi, Celestine Babayaro, and Obinna Nsofor have played for this club, among others They are owned by the Plateau State Government.
They won the league in 2017, and they also won the FA Cup once in 1999. They were top of the Nigerian Premier League table in the 2020/2021 season before the league was stopped due to COVID-19.
Major Trophies Won: 2
- Premier League (1): 2017
- Nigerian FA Cup (1): 1999
Shooting Stars Sports Club
They are one of the six clubs that started the Nigerian Premier League in 1972. They were formed in 1950, and they are based in Ibadan, Oyo State. They have their home games at the 10,000-capacity Lekan Salami Stadium.
They have had the likes of Rashidi Yekini, Segun Odegbami, Mutiu Adepoju, and Ike Shorunmu play for them. They are owned by the Oyo State Government. They have won the league title five times and the Nigerian FA Cup eight times. Other titles they have for their names include:
Major Trophies Won: 18
- CAF Cup (1): Cup (1): Cup (1): 1992
- African Cup (1): 1976
- West African Club Championship (1): 1998
- CAF Cup (1): 1992
- CAF Cup, Winners Cup (1): 1976
It is saddening to note that all of the clubs examined in this article are state-owned. These clubs can be owned by stakeholders from the private sector, where passionate individuals can own these clubs and administer them properly.
Major clubs in foreign leagues are owned by private individuals or private companies and they have been run properly and effectively. Sponsors/partnerships are needed to supply some much-needed resources for an upgrade.
There’s the need for facilities like standard stadiums; upgraded to meet the demands of this day and time, live broadcast of matches with excellent quality and commentary, and availability of good training facilities.
Also, Nigerians need to begin to support these clubs, going to watch their matches and supporting the players whenever they can. Last but not least, passionate administrators and stakeholders must be appointed to oversee the development of the League.
