The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) has confirmed that Aba, Abia State, will host the 2026 NWFL Nationwide Competition from August 15 to 23, with 12 clubs set to compete for promotion to the second tier of Nigerian women’s football.
The NWFL Nationwide serves as the third division of the country’s women’s football pyramid, with the two finalists earning automatic promotion to the 2027 NWFL Championship.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Friday by NWFL Media Director Samuel Ahmadu.
The nine-day tournament will bring together 12 clubs from across Nigeria in what promises to be a fiercely contested race for two coveted promotion spots.
The competition will begin on Saturday, August 15, with the arrival of participating teams and a mandatory pre-match meeting before action gets underway the following day.
After three rounds of group stage fixtures, the top-performing teams will advance to the semi finals on Friday, August 21, with the two winners automatically securing promotion to the 2027 NWFL Championship.
The tournament will conclude with the championship final on Sunday, August 23, when the new NWFL Nationwide champions will be crowned.
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NWFL Chief Operating Officer Modupe Shabi described the competition as a crucial pathway for ambitious clubs seeking to climb the Nigerian women’s football ladder.
“The NWFL Nationwide is an important component of our league structure because it provides ambitious grassroots clubs with a clear pathway to higher levels of competition,” Shabi said.
She expressed confidence that the tournament would continue to strengthen the development of women’s football across the country.
“We are delighted to welcome the participating teams to Aba and expect a tournament that reflects the values of excellence, discipline and fair play. We urge all clubs to comply fully with the competition regulations while giving their best on the pitch.”
Shabi added that the championship would once again showcase the depth of talent emerging across Nigeria.
“We are confident that the championship will further showcase the immense talent and continued growth of women’s football across Nigeria.”
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The NWFL chief also commended the Abia State Government, the Local Organising Committee and other stakeholders for supporting the hosting of the competition.
She expressed confidence that Aba would provide a fitting stage for another successful edition of the tournament while urging all participating clubs to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and fair play throughout the championship.
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According to Shabi, the league remains committed to creating opportunities for clubs and players to develop, compete and progress within Nigeria’s women’s football structure.
