NNL: Aluo Hails Gusau for Tenure Extension, Highlights League Reforms and Super 8 Success

Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), George Aluo, has expressed heartfelt appreciation to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, for extending his tenure—describing the decision as a vote of confidence in his reform-driven leadership of the country’s second-tier league.

Speaking in Asaba during the just-concluded NNL Super 8 Playoffs, Aluo said the extension offers him the opportunity to consolidate the transformation agenda he initiated upon assuming office.

“When I was appointed Chairman of the NNL, I made a vow to turn the league around,” he said. “At the time, referees were owed up to two years in indemnities, and staff salaries had been unpaid for four months. One of my first actions was to clear those debts, which restored motivation and integrity within the system.”

Driving Transparency and Competitiveness

Aluo introduced a number of reforms aimed at professionalizing the league, including mandatory live streaming of matches—a move he said has significantly enhanced visibility, reduced pressure on match officials, and attracted attention from fans and scouts.

“We made it part of our rules that every match must be streamed live. Clubs that failed to comply were fined one million Naira. This improved transparency and allowed genuine competitiveness, with away teams winning games—something rare in past seasons,” he noted.

One notable example, he said, was Beyond Limits FC, a youthful side with players as young as 16 and 17, who clinched the 2023/2024 NNL title under fair and transparent conditions.

“The match officials were protected and motivated to do their job without interference. These reforms are yielding real, measurable results,” Aluo added.

Focus on Capacity Building and Professional Standards

Beyond financial restructuring and officiating improvements, the NNL also invested in capacity-building initiatives. Workshops for coaches and media officers of all 36 clubs were conducted ahead of the season to enhance professionalism on and off the pitch.

Aluo also commended the NNL Super 8 tournament held in Delta State, praising its competitiveness and seamless organisation.

“Until the final round of matches, no team had secured promotion. That tells you how balanced and competitive the playoffs were,” he said. “The facilities, especially at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, were top-notch and allowed players to perform at a high level.”

He acknowledged a temporary setback at the Jay Jay Okocha Stadium in Ugwashi-Uku due to rain-damaged pitch conditions, but noted that quick intervention led to the relocation of matches to Ozoro, where play continued smoothly.

2025 NNL Super 8: Promoted Teams

Following a fiercely contested playoff, four clubs secured promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL):

From the Northern Conference:

Wikki Tourists and Barau FC

From the Southern Conference:

Warri Wolves and Kun Khalifat FC

Looking Ahead

Aluo reaffirmed his commitment to elevating the NNL, pledging to deepen reforms and build stronger partnerships with stakeholders to sustain the league’s upward trajectory.

“The extension of my tenure is both an honor and a challenge—to not only maintain the standards we’ve set but to take the league even further. We’re determined to make the NNL a model for second-tier football across Africa,” Aluo concluded.