Football clubs in Nigeria range from NPFL champions to community teams playing in state leagues. The country has hundreds of clubs spread across the Nigeria Premier Football League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Nationwide League One and lower divisions. Some have won continental trophies. Others focus on developing the next generation of Nigerian stars. This guide brings them together in one place. Browse football clubs in Nigeria by league, state or club name with the latest 2026 updates.
List Of Football Clubs In Nigeria
Several Nigerian clubs have won continental titles, produced international stars and supplied players to Europe’s biggest leagues. Clubs such as Enyimba, Rangers International, Shooting Stars, Kano Pillars, Bendel Insurance and Rivers United remain among the country’s best-known teams, while newer clubs including Remo Stars, Ikorodu City and Sporting Lagos continue to strengthen Nigerian football.
This directory lists football clubs across Nigeria, explains where they compete and provides a state-by-state reference.
Nigerian Football League System
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) oversees football in the country, while the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) manages the top division.
The pyramid consists of:
| Level | Competition |
| 1 | Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) |
| 2 | Nigeria National League (NNL) |
| 3 | Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO) |
| 4 | State Football Leagues |
| 5 | Amateur and grassroots competitions |
Promotion and relegation connect the top four levels each season.
Nigeria Premier Football League Clubs
The NPFL is Nigeria’s highest domestic competition. The league features clubs from different regions of the country.
Current and recent NPFL clubs include:
- Abia Warriors
- Akwa United
- Bayelsa United
- Bendel Insurance
- El-Kanemi Warriors
- Enyimba
- Heartland
- Ikorodu City
- Kano Pillars
- Katsina United
- Kwara United
- Lobi Stars
- Nasarawa United
- Niger Tornadoes
- Plateau United
- Rangers International
- Remo Stars
- Rivers United
- Shooting Stars (3SC)
- Sunshine Stars
- Sporting Lagos
- Warri Wolves
- Wikki Tourists
- Doma United
- Gombe United
Nigeria National League Clubs
The Nigeria National League serves as the second division and acts as the main pathway to the NPFL.
Notable clubs include:
- ABS FC
- Crown FC
- Gateway United
- Jigawa Golden Stars
- Kada Warriors
- Kebbi United
- Madiba FC
- Osun United
- Rovers FC
- Sokoto United
- Solution FC
- Vandrezzer FC
- Yobe Desert Stars
- Zamfara United
The composition of the NNL changes every season through promotion and relegation.
Nigeria Nationwide League One Clubs
The Nationwide League One (NLO) is Nigeria’s third tier and contains hundreds of clubs divided into regional conferences.
Well-known NLO clubs include:
- Atlantic Business FC
- Box2Box FC
- Collins Edwin FC
- Cynosure FC
- FC Inter Enugu
- Gbagada FC
- Henrich FC
- Messiah FC
- Milars FC
- Obio Akpor FC
- Oasis FC
- Owazi FC
- Spotlight FC
- Sunsel FC
- TEAP FC
- Westside FC
- Wolonso United
Many clubs in this division operate as player development teams and regularly transfer talent to NPFL clubs and overseas leagues.
Historic Nigerian Football Clubs
Several clubs played major roles in Nigerian football before becoming inactive, dissolving or dropping into lower divisions.
These include:
- ACB Lagos
- Abiola Babes
- Babanawa FC
- BCC Lions
- Calabar Rovers
- Iwuanyanwu Nationale (now Heartland)
- Jasper United
- Leventis United
- New Nigeria Bank
- NEPA Lagos
- NITEL Vasco Da Gama
- Ranchers Bees
- Sharks FC
- Stationery Stores
- Udoji United
- Union Bank FC
Many of these clubs won national trophies and produced Nigerian internationals.
Football Clubs by State
Abia
- Abia Comets
- Abia Warriors
- Enyimba
Adamawa
- Adamawa United
Akwa Ibom
- Akwa United
- Akwa Starlets
Anambra
- Anambra Pillars
- Anambra United
Bayelsa
- Bayelsa United
- Nembe City
- Ocean Boys
Benue
- Lobi Stars
Cross River
- Calabar Rovers
Delta
- Delta Force
- Warri Wolves
- Ughelli Rovers
Ebonyi
- Cynosure FC
Edo
- Bendel Insurance
- Esan FC
Ekiti
- Crown FC
Enugu
- Rangers International
- FC Inter Enugu
Federal Capital Territory
- Abuja FC
Gombe
- Gombe United
Imo
- Heartland
Jigawa
- Jigawa Golden Stars
Kaduna
- Kaduna United
Kano
- Kano Pillars
Katsina
- Katsina United
Kogi
- Kogi United
Kwara
- ABS FC
- Kwara United
Lagos
- ACB Lagos
- Atlantic Business FC
- Bridge Boys
- Gbagada FC
- Ikorodu City
- Ikorodu United
- MFM
- NEPA Lagos
- Sporting Lagos
- Stationery Stores
- Westside FC
Nasarawa
- Nasarawa United
Niger
- Niger Tornadoes
Ogun
- Gateway United
- Remo Stars
Ondo
- Sunshine Stars
Oyo
- Crown FC
- Shooting Stars
Plateau
- Mighty Jets
- Plateau United
Rivers
- Go Round
- Obio Akpor FC
- Rivers United
- Sharks FC
Sokoto
- Sokoto United
Taraba
- Taraba FC
Yobe
- Yobe Desert Stars
Zamfara
- Zamfara United
Women’s Football Clubs in Nigeria
Nigeria also has a strong women’s football structure led by the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL).
Leading women’s clubs include:
- Bayelsa Queens
- Delta Queens
- Edo Queens
- Heartland Queens
- Naija Ratels
- Nasarawa Amazons
- Remo Stars Ladies
- Rivers Angels
These clubs have produced many Super Falcons players.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many football clubs are there in Nigeria?
Nigeria has several hundred football clubs competing across the NPFL, NNL, NLO, state leagues and amateur competitions.
Which is the biggest football club in Nigeria?
Enyimba is widely regarded as Nigeria’s most successful club in continental football after winning the CAF Champions League twice.
Which state has the most football clubs?
Lagos has one of the largest concentrations of football clubs due to its population, football academies and professional infrastructure.
Which is the oldest football club in Nigeria?
Stationery Stores, founded in 1958, ranks among Nigeria’s oldest surviving football clubs, while several clubs established in the 1960s and 1970s also remain active or retain historic status.
Which Nigerian clubs have won the CAF Champions League?
Enyimba remains the only Nigerian club to win the CAF Champions League, lifting the trophy in 2003 and 2004.
Conclusion
Football clubs in Nigeria form one of Africa’s largest football networks, with teams competing from the NPFL to state leagues across every region of the country. This complete directory brings together Nigerian football clubs by league, state and history, making it a reliable resource for supporters, researchers, journalists and football followers. Bookmark this guide for the latest list of football clubs in Nigeria and future league updates.
