Nigerian Premier League
Encyclopedia
The Nigeria Premier League is the highest level of domestic Nigeria
n football. It is fed into by the two First Division groups: the Nigerian Division 1-A and Nigerian Division 1-B. It is organized by the Nigeria Football Association
. The NPL Chairman is Davidson Owunmi.
Lagos, the league was rechristened the "Professional League" with a goal to modernize the game and make clubs self-sufficient. Decrees 10 and 11 which codified the introduction of professional football in Nigeria stipulated that professional clubs should be run as limited liability companies each governed by a regularly constituted board of directors and required to hold annual general meetings, present independently audited accounts, cultivate youth/feeder teams and own their own stadium within five years of registration with the Pro League Department. To assist Pro League clubs in the timely achievement of these stated goals, all 56 professional club-sides that constituted the inaugural Pro League First and Second Division
were granted a five-year tax moratorium on all income starting from 1990.
From 1999-2007, there was an end of season Championship called the "Super Four". The top four teams would play a round robin mini-league at a neutral site to determine the league champion. The Super Four is now a pre-season tournament featuring the top four teams of the prior year.
After the 2006 competition, the league changed its calendar to more closely match the common European
regular season structure (starting around August and ending around May). The Premier League is managed by the Nigeria Professional League Board.
The following teams were relegated to the National League at the end of the 2009-10 season:
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n football. It is fed into by the two First Division groups: the Nigerian Division 1-A and Nigerian Division 1-B. It is organized by the Nigeria Football Association
Nigeria Football Association
The Nigeria Football Federation organises domestic and international football in Nigeria. It was formally launched in 1945 and formed the first Nigerian national football team in 1949. It joined FIFA and the CAF in 1959...
. The NPL Chairman is Davidson Owunmi.
History
The league was founded in 1972 with six teams. On Saturday 12 May 1990 at the Onikan StadiumOnikan Stadium
Onikan Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Lagos, Nigeria. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of various Lagos teams, most notably Stationery Stores F.C., First Bank and Julius Berger FC. The stadium has a capacity of 5,000 people and is the oldest in Nigeria...
Lagos, the league was rechristened the "Professional League" with a goal to modernize the game and make clubs self-sufficient. Decrees 10 and 11 which codified the introduction of professional football in Nigeria stipulated that professional clubs should be run as limited liability companies each governed by a regularly constituted board of directors and required to hold annual general meetings, present independently audited accounts, cultivate youth/feeder teams and own their own stadium within five years of registration with the Pro League Department. To assist Pro League clubs in the timely achievement of these stated goals, all 56 professional club-sides that constituted the inaugural Pro League First and Second Division
Nigeria National League
The Nigeria National League is the second tier of club football in Nigeria.- History :Since 1997, the league has been split into 1A for Northern teams and 1B for southern teams. The top two from each division are promoted to the Nigerian Premier League the next season...
were granted a five-year tax moratorium on all income starting from 1990.
From 1999-2007, there was an end of season Championship called the "Super Four". The top four teams would play a round robin mini-league at a neutral site to determine the league champion. The Super Four is now a pre-season tournament featuring the top four teams of the prior year.
After the 2006 competition, the league changed its calendar to more closely match the common European
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
regular season structure (starting around August and ending around May). The Premier League is managed by the Nigeria Professional League Board.
2010–11 season
- Bukola BabesBukola BabesBukola Babes are a Nigerian association football club from Ilorin, Nigeria. They were promoted to the Nigeria Premier League at the end of the 2009-10 season...
(Ilorin) - Crown FC (Ogbomosho)
- Dolphins (Port Harcourt)
- Enugu RangersEnugu RangersRangers International football club of Enugu popularly called Enugu Rangers is one of only two Nigerian division one football teams that has never been relegated.-History:...
(Enugu) - Enyimba (Aba)
- Gombe UnitedGombe United F.C.Gombe United F.C. is a Nigerian football club based in Gombe. They play in the top division in Nigerian football, the Nigerian Premier League.-History:...
(Gombe) - HeartlandHeartland F.C.Heartland F.C is a Nigerian soccer club based in Owerri. They play their home games at Dan Anyiam Stadium. With local rivals Enugu Rangers, they are one of two Nigerian teams that have never been relegated....
(Owerri) - JUTH FC (Jos)
- Kaduna UnitedKaduna United F.C.Kaduna United Football Club is a Nigerian football club based in Kaduna and run by the Kaduna State government.-History:They were relegated from the Nigerian Premier League in 2007 but won promotion one year later...
(Kaduna) - Kano PillarsKano Pillars F.C.Kano Pillars Football Club is a Nigerian football club based in Kano. They play in the top division in Nigerian football, the Nigerian Premier League. Their home stadium is Sani Abacha Stadium. Kano Pillars FC was founded in the year 1990, the year professional league was started in Nigeria...
(Kano)
- Kwara UnitedKwara United F.C.Kwara United F.C. is a Nigerian football club based in Ilorin. They play in the top division in Nigerian football, the Nigeria Premier League after spending 2008-09 in the Nigeria National League...
(Ilorin) - Lobi StarsLobi StarsLobi Stars Football Club is a soccer club based in Makurdi, Nigeria. They play in the Nigerian Premier League...
(Makurdi) - Niger TornadoesNiger TornadoesNiger Tornadoes Football Club is a soccer club based in Minna, Nigeria. They play their home games at Bako Kontagora Stadium.-History:In 2005 they finished in the lower half of the Nigerian Premier League but avoided relegation by three points...
(Minna) - Ocean Boys (Brass)
- Plateau UnitedPlateau UnitedPlateau United Football Club of Jos are a Nigerian football club. Before 1991, they were known as the JIB Strikers FC..The name "Plateau United" was the former name of their cross-town rivals Mighty Jets....
(Jos) - SharksSharks F.C.Sharks F.C. is a Nigerian football club based in Port Harcourt. They play in the top division in Nigerian football, the Nigerian Premier League...
(Port Harcourt) - Shooting StarsShooting Stars FCShooting Stars Football Club is a Nigerian soccer club based in Ibadan.-History:The club was one of the founders of the Nigerian Premier League in 1972, when they were called WNDC Ibadan .The nickname "Shooting Stars" was added with the suggestion of team foundation members the late Jide...
(Ibadan) - Sunshine StarsSunshine Stars F.C.Sunshine Stars F.C. is a Nigerian football club based in Akure. They play in the top division in Nigerian football, the Nigerian Premier League...
(Akure) - Warri Wolves (Warri)
- Zamfara UnitedZamfara United F.C.Zamfara United Football Club is a Nigerian football club, in the town of Gusau in Zamfara State. - History :They play in the top level of professional football in Nigeria, the Nigerian Premier League. Before the 2008-09 season there was a brief power struggle for the chairman position that saw...
(Gusau)
The following teams were relegated to the National League at the end of the 2009-10 season:
- Bayelsa UnitedBayelsa United FCBayelsa United FC is a football club based in Yenagoa, Nigeria. They play in the second division in Nigerian football, the Nigeria National League. Their home stadium is Yenagoa Township Stadium...
(Yenegoa) - GatewayGateway F.C.Gateway Football Club is a Nigerian football club, in the town of Abeokuta, in Ogun State. They returned to the top level of professional football in Nigeria, the Nigerian Premier League in 2008 after being relegated in 2005 after a one year stint...
(Abeokuta) - Ranchers BeesRanchers BeesRanchers Bees FC is a Nigerian football club based in Kaduna. Their home stadium is Ranchers Bees Stadium, aka Kaduna Township Stadium.Originally known as the DIC Bees, they were bought by Moktar Arewa in the 1980s and renamed "Ranchers Bees"...
(Kaduna) - Wikki TouristsWikki TouristsWikki Tourists Football Club is a Nigerian football club based in Bauchi, Nigeria, and currently playing in the Nigeria National League after relegation by one point.-Performance in CAF competitions:*CAF Cup Winners' Cup: 1 appearance...
(Bauchi)
Winners
- 1972 : Mighty Jets (Jos)
- 1973 : Bendel Insurance FCBendel Insurance FCBendel Insurance Football Club, also known as Insurance of Benin Football Club, is a soccer club based in Benin City, Nigeria. They were originally known as the Vipers of Benin. Their venue, Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, has a capacity of some 20,000....
(Benin City) - 1974 : Rangers InternationalEnugu RangersRangers International football club of Enugu popularly called Enugu Rangers is one of only two Nigerian division one football teams that has never been relegated.-History:...
(Enugu) - 1975 : Rangers InternationalEnugu RangersRangers International football club of Enugu popularly called Enugu Rangers is one of only two Nigerian division one football teams that has never been relegated.-History:...
(Enugu) - 1976 : Shooting Stars FCShooting Stars FCShooting Stars Football Club is a Nigerian soccer club based in Ibadan.-History:The club was one of the founders of the Nigerian Premier League in 1972, when they were called WNDC Ibadan .The nickname "Shooting Stars" was added with the suggestion of team foundation members the late Jide...
(Ibadan) - 1977 : Rangers InternationalEnugu RangersRangers International football club of Enugu popularly called Enugu Rangers is one of only two Nigerian division one football teams that has never been relegated.-History:...
(Enugu) - 1978 : Racca RoversRacca RoversRacca Rovers was a Nigerian football team that played in Kano. They won the Nigerian Premier League championship in 1978, the second northern team to do so and the last one until 1994....
(Kano) - 1979 : Bendel Insurance FCBendel Insurance FCBendel Insurance Football Club, also known as Insurance of Benin Football Club, is a soccer club based in Benin City, Nigeria. They were originally known as the Vipers of Benin. Their venue, Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, has a capacity of some 20,000....
(Benin City) - 1980 : Shooting Stars FCShooting Stars FCShooting Stars Football Club is a Nigerian soccer club based in Ibadan.-History:The club was one of the founders of the Nigerian Premier League in 1972, when they were called WNDC Ibadan .The nickname "Shooting Stars" was added with the suggestion of team foundation members the late Jide...
(Ibadan) - 1981 : Rangers InternationalEnugu RangersRangers International football club of Enugu popularly called Enugu Rangers is one of only two Nigerian division one football teams that has never been relegated.-History:...
(Enugu) - 1982 : Rangers InternationalEnugu RangersRangers International football club of Enugu popularly called Enugu Rangers is one of only two Nigerian division one football teams that has never been relegated.-History:...
(Enugu) - 1983 : Shooting Stars FCShooting Stars FCShooting Stars Football Club is a Nigerian soccer club based in Ibadan.-History:The club was one of the founders of the Nigerian Premier League in 1972, when they were called WNDC Ibadan .The nickname "Shooting Stars" was added with the suggestion of team foundation members the late Jide...
(Ibadan) - 1984 : Rangers InternationalEnugu RangersRangers International football club of Enugu popularly called Enugu Rangers is one of only two Nigerian division one football teams that has never been relegated.-History:...
(Enugu)
- 1985 : New Nigeria BankNew Nigeria Bank Football ClubNew Nigeria Bank was a Nigerian football team that played in Benin City. It would disappear from the map after its corporate owners started having liquidity problems when the first wave of financial houses crashes happened in the 1980s...
(Benin City) - 1986 : Leventis UnitedLeventis UnitedLeventis United was a football team based in Ibadan, Nigeria. It was founded in 1982 as an amalgam of clubs from Oyo State, backed by the Royal Nigeria Carpet company; a subsidiary of Greek corporation Leventis....
(Ibadan) - 1987 : Iwuanyanwu NationaleHeartland F.C.Heartland F.C is a Nigerian soccer club based in Owerri. They play their home games at Dan Anyiam Stadium. With local rivals Enugu Rangers, they are one of two Nigerian teams that have never been relegated....
(Owerri) - 1988 : Iwuanyanwu NationaleHeartland F.C.Heartland F.C is a Nigerian soccer club based in Owerri. They play their home games at Dan Anyiam Stadium. With local rivals Enugu Rangers, they are one of two Nigerian teams that have never been relegated....
(Owerri) - 1989 : Iwuanyanwu NationaleHeartland F.C.Heartland F.C is a Nigerian soccer club based in Owerri. They play their home games at Dan Anyiam Stadium. With local rivals Enugu Rangers, they are one of two Nigerian teams that have never been relegated....
(Owerri) - 1990 : Iwuanyanwu NationaleHeartland F.C.Heartland F.C is a Nigerian soccer club based in Owerri. They play their home games at Dan Anyiam Stadium. With local rivals Enugu Rangers, they are one of two Nigerian teams that have never been relegated....
(Owerri) - 1991 : Julius Berger (Lagos)
- 1992 : Stationery Stores (Lagos)
- 1993 : Iwuanyanwu NationaleHeartland F.C.Heartland F.C is a Nigerian soccer club based in Owerri. They play their home games at Dan Anyiam Stadium. With local rivals Enugu Rangers, they are one of two Nigerian teams that have never been relegated....
(Owerri) - 1994 : BCC LionsBCC LionsBCC Lions is a Nigerian football team based in Gboko and will play their home games at the J. S. Tarka Stadium.In the early 1990s, they were one of the dominant teams in the league, peaking with the double in 1994....
(Gboko) - 1995 : Shooting Stars FCShooting Stars FCShooting Stars Football Club is a Nigerian soccer club based in Ibadan.-History:The club was one of the founders of the Nigerian Premier League in 1972, when they were called WNDC Ibadan .The nickname "Shooting Stars" was added with the suggestion of team foundation members the late Jide...
(Ibadan) - 1996 : Udoji United (Awka)
- 1997 : Eagle Cement (Port Harcourt)
- 1998 : Shooting Stars FCShooting Stars FCShooting Stars Football Club is a Nigerian soccer club based in Ibadan.-History:The club was one of the founders of the Nigerian Premier League in 1972, when they were called WNDC Ibadan .The nickname "Shooting Stars" was added with the suggestion of team foundation members the late Jide...
(Ibadan) - 1999 : Lobi StarsLobi StarsLobi Stars Football Club is a soccer club based in Makurdi, Nigeria. They play in the Nigerian Premier League...
(Makurdi) - 2000 : Julius Berger (Lagos)
- 2001 : Enyimba (Aba)
- 2002 : Enyimba (Aba)
- 2003 : Enyimba (Aba)
- 2004 : Dolphins FC (Port Harcourt)
- 2005 : Enyimba (Aba)
- 2006 : Ocean Boys FC (Brass)
- 2007 : Enyimba (Aba)
- 2008 : Kano Pillars F.C.Kano Pillars F.C.Kano Pillars Football Club is a Nigerian football club based in Kano. They play in the top division in Nigerian football, the Nigerian Premier League. Their home stadium is Sani Abacha Stadium. Kano Pillars FC was founded in the year 1990, the year professional league was started in Nigeria...
(Kano) - 2009 : Bayelsa UnitedBayelsa United FCBayelsa United FC is a football club based in Yenagoa, Nigeria. They play in the second division in Nigerian football, the Nigeria National League. Their home stadium is Yenagoa Township Stadium...
(Yenegoa) - 20102009–10 Nigeria Premier League-Table:-External Links:* *...
: Enyimba (Aba) - 20112010–11 Nigeria Premier LeagueThe 2010–11 Nigeria Premier League was the 40th season of the competition since its inception, and the 21st since the rebranding of the league as the "Professional League". Enyimba International were the defending champions....
: Dolphins F.C. (Port Harcourt)
Topscorers
| Year | Best scorers | Team | Goals |
| 2002 |  Joetex Frimpong |
El-Kanemi Warriors El-Kanemi Warriors El-Kanemi Warriors is a soccer team based in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. They play at El-Kanemi Stadium. They ended their 2005 season in the lower half of the Nigeria Premier League.They were relegated to the Nigeria Division 1 in 2007.-Achievements:... |
16 |
| 2003 |  Chibuzor Ozurumba Endurance IdahorEndurance Idahor Endurance Idahor was a Nigerian football player who played for Sudanese club Al-Merreikh. On 6 March 2010, Idahor collapsed during a league game and later died on his way to the hospital.-Career:... |
Iwuanyanwu Nationale Heartland F.C. Heartland F.C is a Nigerian soccer club based in Owerri. They play their home games at Dan Anyiam Stadium. With local rivals Enugu Rangers, they are one of two Nigerian teams that have never been relegated.... Julius Berger |
13 |
| 2004 | Kabiru Alausa Kabiru Alausa Kabiru Alausa Kabiru Alausa Kabiru Alausa (born March 28, 1983 is an Nigeria football attacker, currently on the books of Shooting Stars F.C..- Career :He began his career in 2008 in the Heartland F.C., before moving the following year in the Sunshine Stars F.C.. He currently plays in the Shooting... |
Julius Berger | 13 |
| 2005 | Timothy Anjembe Timothy Anjembe Timothy Anjembe is a Nigerian striker who plays for Vietnamese club Bình Dương F.C..- Career:In 2005, he played Nigerian club Lobi Stars, where he became top scorer of Nigerian Premier League, the top tier of Nigeria, at the age of 18 and was considered one of hottest prospects in local league... Joseph AkpalaJoseph Akpala Joseph Akpala is a Nigerian footballer. He currently plays for Club Brugge KV.- Career :Akpala is a product of the Pepsi Football Academy in Lagos... |
Lobi Stars Bendel Insurance |
12 |
| 2006 | Ikechukwu Ibenegbu Ikechukwu Ibenegbu Bartholomew Ikechukwu Ibenegbu is a Nigerian attacking Midfielder who currently plays for Heartland F.C..-Career:Before Heartland, he played for Enyimba F.C. and El-Kanemi Warriors, where he led the Nigerian Premier League in scoring in 2006 with ten goals.-International career:Ibenegbu has played... |
El-Kanemi Warriors El-Kanemi Warriors El-Kanemi Warriors is a soccer team based in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. They play at El-Kanemi Stadium. They ended their 2005 season in the lower half of the Nigeria Premier League.They were relegated to the Nigeria Division 1 in 2007.-Achievements:... |
10 |
| 2007 | Aruwa Ameh Aruwa Ameh Aruwa Ameh was a Nigerian professional footballer. He last played for Bayelsa United in the Nigeria National League. In 2007 while playing with Kaduna United he was the top scorer in the Nigeria Premier League. Ameh died of unknown causes almost a week after being hospitalized for arm pain in... |
Kaduna United Kaduna United F.C. Kaduna United Football Club is a Nigerian football club based in Kaduna and run by the Kaduna State government.-History:They were relegated from the Nigerian Premier League in 2007 but won promotion one year later... |
10 |
| 2007-08 | Abubakar Babale |
Wikki Tourists Wikki Tourists Wikki Tourists Football Club is a Nigerian football club based in Bauchi, Nigeria, and currently playing in the Nigeria National League after relegation by one point.-Performance in CAF competitions:*CAF Cup Winners' Cup: 1 appearance... /Sunshine Stars Sunshine Stars F.C. Sunshine Stars F.C. is a Nigerian football club based in Akure. They play in the top division in Nigerian football, the Nigerian Premier League... |
14 |
| 2008-09 | Orok Akarandut Orok Akarandut Orok Akarandut is a Nigerian football player currently playing for AS GABES.-Career:Akarandut began his career with Akwa United F.C. who was in January 2007 promoted to the Nigerian Premier League team... |
Akwa United Akwa United F.C. Akwa United Football Club is a Nigerian football club based in Uyo. They play in the first division of Nigerian football, the Nigeria Premier League. Their home stadium is Uyo Township Stadium.-History:... |
17 |
| 2009-10 | Ahmed Musa Ahmed Musa (footballer) Ahmed Musa is a Nigerian forward playing for the Dutch club VVV-Venlo as a winger. He is also a member of the Nigeria national football team.-Breakthrough in Nigeria:... |
Kano Pillars Kano Pillars F.C. Kano Pillars Football Club is a Nigerian football club based in Kano. They play in the top division in Nigerian football, the Nigerian Premier League. Their home stadium is Sani Abacha Stadium. Kano Pillars FC was founded in the year 1990, the year professional league was started in Nigeria... |
18 |
| 2010-11 2010–11 Nigeria Premier League The 2010–11 Nigeria Premier League was the 40th season of the competition since its inception, and the 21st since the rebranding of the league as the "Professional League". Enyimba International were the defending champions.... |
Jude Aneke Jude Aneke Jude Aneke is a Nigerian forward playing for Kaduna United F.C.-Career:He started his career with local side Mgbo Ambassadors while a Political Science student at Ebonyi State University... |
Kaduna United Kaduna United F.C. Kaduna United Football Club is a Nigerian football club based in Kaduna and run by the Kaduna State government.-History:They were relegated from the Nigerian Premier League in 2007 but won promotion one year later... |
20 |