Chairman of the Nigerian National League (NNL), George Aluo, has said there is nothing wrong with relegated clubs buying promotion slots to remain in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) — provided the deal complies with established guidelines.
Speaking on Success 105.3 FM in Ibadan, Aluo addressed growing speculation surrounding Lobi Stars and Heartland FC, both of whom were relegated from the NPFL at the end of the 2024/25 season but are reportedly seeking to return by acquiring promotion slots from newly promoted NNL clubs.
Aluo further clarified that such transactions must observe conference alignment rules; a club based in the Northern Conference cannot acquire a slot from a team in the Southern Conference unless it is ready to relocate.
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While this practice is not formally outlawed in Nigerian football, it remains controversial, with critics saying it undermines the integrity of competition and creates a market for backdoor entries into the top flight.
The topic has resurfaced amid reports that Lobi Stars of Makurdi and Heartland of Owerri, both government-backed clubs with strong top-flight histories, are in talks with teams that secured a place in the NNL Super 8 playoff tournament.
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Heartland’s case is especially contentious. After being relegated at the end of the 2023–2024 NPFL season, the club was reinstated for the 2024–2025 campaign following the disqualification of Beyond Limits Football Academy, who had earned promotion on the pitch.
The NPFL ruled that Beyond Limits were ineligible due to a conflict of interest, citing their affiliation with Remo Stars FC, which already competes in the top flight.
This was deemed a breach of the NPFL’s dual ownership rules.
As the NPFL 2025/2026 season draws closer, all eyes will be on the league’s licensing and compliance processes — and whether big-name clubs like Heartland and Lobi Stars will return.
