Nigeria National League

Nigeria National League

Countries	Nigeria
Confederation	CAF
Founded	1979 (reorganized 1991)
Number of teams	36
Levels on pyramid	2
Promotion to	Nigeria Premier League
Relegation to	Nigeria Nationwide League
Domestic cup(s)	Nigerian FA Cup
Current champions	Wikki Tourists F.C.[1] (2012)
Website	http://nigeriaffonline.com/NationalLeague.php

The Nigeria National League (formerly National Division 1) is the second tier of club football in Nigeria.

History

From 1997-2011, 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. The exceptions were the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons where there were four divisions of eight teams each, with each division winner winning promotion. Up to four teams in each division are relegated each season to the Amateur First Division. The league was renamed June 19, 2008. It expanded from 32 to 36 teams for the 2012 season with 2 more teams promoted. The league also reverted to the 2006 format, with four divisions of nine teams each, with division winners receiving automatic promotion.

2012 season

Group A

• Abuja FC
• El-Kanemi Warriors, Maiduguri
• FRSC Strikers, Abuja
• JUTH F.C., Jos
• Ranchers Bees, Kaduna
• Sarduana F.C., Kano
• Spotlight F.C., Katsina
• Taraba FC, Jalingo
• 36 Lions, Lokoja (moved from Lagos)

Group B

• Adamawa United F.C., Yola
• Giwa FC, Jos
• Kogi United, Lokoja
• Meridian Airlines FC, Kano
• NAF Rockets FC, Abuja
• Nasarawa United, Lafia
• Plateau United, Jos
• Sokoto Unted
• Zamfara United F.C., Gusau

Group C

• Akwa Starlets F.C., Uyo
• Abia Comets, Umuahia
• Remo F.C., Sagamu
• First Bank, Lagos
• Go Round F.C, Okpaku
• Gray's International, Ede
• Nembe City F.C.
• Prime F.C., Oshogbo
• UNICEM Rovers, Calabar

Group D

• Abia Warriors F.C., Umuahia
• Ajiroba-Ooni F.C., Ila Ife
• Bayelsa United F.C., Yenegoa
• Bendel Insurance FC, Benin City
• Bridge Boys F.C., Lagos
• City of David F.C., Lagos
• Crown F.C., Ogbomosho
• Gateway F.C., Abeokuta
• Ila Orangun F.C.

Changes from 2011

Relegated from Nigerian Premier League

• Crown F.C.
• JUTH F.C.
• Plateau United
• Zamfara United

Promoted from Nigeria Amateur League

• Abia Comets
• Ajiroba-Ooni F.C.
• Akwa Starlets F.C.
• City of David F.C.
• Go Round F.C.
• Gray's International
• Ila Orangun F.C.
• Kogi United
• Meridian Airlines FC
• NAF Rockets FC
• Nembe City F.C.(Bought slot of Dankalat F.C.)
• Sarduana F.C.
• Sokoto Unted

Promoted to Nigerian Premier League

• Akwa United F.C., Uyo
• Jigawa Golden Stars, Dutse
• Rising Stars F.C., Akure
• Wikki Tourists F.C., Bauchi

Relegated to Nigeria Natonwide League

• FC Ebedei
• Enyimba Feeders
• Gabros International F.C.
• Okpe United
• Jarma F.C. Kano
• Jimeta United
• Mighty Jets of Jos
• Supreme Court F.C. Abuja

Wound Up

• Babanawa F.C.

Past Winners

Winners of the North and South division play a one-game playoff to determine the overall Division champion. (2011 champion was determined by a Super Four mimi-league between the four promoted teams.)

Season	Winner
2006	Zamfara United
2007	Sunshine Stars
2008	Warri Wolves F.C.
2008/09	Dolphins F.C.
2009/10	Crown F.C.
2010/11	Wikki Tourists

See also

List of Nigerian Clubs

External links

• 2006-07 season on rsssf
• 2009-10 final 1-A table (JUTH FC site)
• National League hits TV
• National League set to sanction defaulting clubs
• Nigeria National League holds Seminar
• Insurance seek Premier League return (2-2-12)
• 2012 league lineup