The Nationwide League One, regarded as Africa’s largest domestic youth football league, has announced major updates ahead of the 2026 season, including a proposed kickoff date, a newly rebranded logo, and amendments to its rules and regulations, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The announcements were made on Friday at the league’s Annual General Meeting held in Abuja, where administrators, club representatives, and key stakeholders reviewed the outgoing season and outlined strategic plans for the next campaign. Addressing delegates, an NLO official commended the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation, particularly its president, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, for his continued support of grassroots football development.
“We wish to express our profound appreciation to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, for his unwavering support and commitment to football development in Nigeria. His leadership has been instrumental in elevating the NLO to new heights and continues to inspire our collective ambition to advance Nigerian football both locally and internationally,” the official stated.
Chairman of the NLO Executive Board, Honourable Silas Agara, later briefed club delegates on the league’s progress and confirmed Friday, April 10, 2026, as the tentative kickoff date for the new season. He explained that the past year recorded notable improvements through close collaboration between the League Board and the Secretariat.
“Our collective efforts have focused on improving the quality and competitiveness of the league. These strides are now being recognised through increased fan engagement, greater media attention, growing sponsor interest, and the emergence of talented players progressing to national and international platforms,” Agara noted.
A major highlight of the AGM was the unveiling of the league’s newly rebranded logo by the Director General of the National Directorate of Employment. The rebrand follows a strategic partnership between the NLO and Zkyte Technology, aimed at aligning the league’s operations with global best practices.
“This partnership represents a major step in modernising and repositioning the NLO. It reflects our commitment to innovation, excellence, and effective league administration, while setting new benchmarks for sustainable growth,” the Director General said.
Agara further explained that the new visual identity goes beyond aesthetics, reinforcing the NLO’s broader mission of grassroots development and talent discovery across the country.
“The rebrand signifies our dedication to creating opportunities beyond competition. The NLO serves as a critical platform for identifying emerging talent and establishing career pathways for players across more than 300 clubs and academies in Division One and the U19 Youth League,” he said, adding that the updated graphics and wordmark symbolise athleticism, ambition, and the pursuit of excellence.
On regulatory matters, Agara described the amendments to the league’s rules and regulations as a landmark step toward stronger governance and long term sustainability.
“These changes mark a new chapter for the NLO as we continue to refine our framework and secure the future of football development across the country,” he concluded.