NLO Division One League COO Sheds More Light To The Forthcoming Revamped Lucrative NLO Cup

NLO Division One League COO Sheds More Light To The Forthcoming Revamped Lucrative NLO Cup

The Nigeria Nationwide Division One League (NLO) has described and thrown more light to the proposed NLO Cup as a post-season competition, designed to keep willing clubs and players active after the conclusion of the regular league season, and not a replacement for the NLO championship.

Chief Shola Ogunowo, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Nigeria Nationwide Division One League, explained that the initiative is aimed at giving participating clubs additional competitive matches while providing opportunities to assess players ahead of the January transfer window and the new season.

Ogunowo said the concept of an NLO Cup is not new but is being revamped to make the post-season competition more useful to clubs and players.
“It’s not strange and it’s not new in NLO. We only try to revamp the way we do the NNL Cup.”

He explained that the regular NLO season, both Division One and the Youth League, typically lasts about three to four months, leaving clubs with limited competitive activity for the remainder of the year.

The post-season tournament, according to Ogunowo, is intended to address that gap by allowing clubs that are ready and willing to participate to continue playing competitive football.
“It’s not a league. It’s not an event designed to replace the league. It’s just a post-season event,” he stressed.

Ogunowo added that participation will not be compulsory for all NLO clubs, allowing interested teams to register and use the competition according to their sporting and developmental plans.

Beyond match exposure, the tournament could provide clubs with an opportunity to assess their squads, identify emerging talent and prepare players for potential movements during the January transfer window.
“Those that are ready for business, we encourage them to participate so that they can start preparing their players for the transfer window coming up in January, and they can start preparing their players for the new season,” Ogunowo said.

The NLO maintains that the proposed Cup is therefore designed to complement the regular league calendar by extending competitive opportunities for participating clubs and players beyond the main season.

In an earlier release by the NLO Division One League body and reads in part:

The Nationwide League One Secretariat has issued further instructions and key guidelines concerning the revamped NLO CUP registration process, payment methods, and international broadcasting arrangements.

The official kickoff date for the Remodelled NLO Cup is October 10th, 2026.

To confirm participation, all eligible clubs from NLO Division 1 and the NLO Youth League U19 must pay a non-refundable registration fee of One Million Naira (#1,000,000.00).

This fee covers tournament logistics, and payments should be made directly into the official FCMB Bank Nationwide League One account: 3267800014. Proof of payment must then be sent to the NLO Secretariat for verification.

The grassroots football regulatory body has also outlined the Tournament Format and Home Grounds, which will feature a regional home-and-away format. Clubs can select their home ground or, with approval, share grounds with nearby teams facing logistical challenges to maintain consistent fixtures.

To promote ROI (Return on Investment) and support player development, every match will be live-streamed on the official NLO platform, allowing international scouts, club directors, and foreign agents to observe performances in real-time via technology partners.

Futbol Connect, a global talent platform that links players to scouts, agencies, and clubs worldwide, will be active. SofaScore will provide live scores, detailed player statistics, and analytics globally, while Zkyte Technologies will handle streaming, digital infrastructure, and broadcasting technology.

Clubs are required to pay the registration fee into the FCMB account and submit payment proof, along with home ground details, to the League Manager before October 10th to secure zone placement. They should also update team rosters and player profiles for digital media, registration, and broadcast profiles.

Clubs are encouraged to leverage this digital exposure to boost player prospects internationally. For further inquiries, contact the League Manager at the NLO Secretariat.