The Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL has confirmed that the 2026 Nationwide league will be staged in Aba, Abia State, from August 15 to 23, 2026, with 12 clubs from across the country set to compete for promotion to the Championship status.
In a statement on Friday by NWFL Media Director, Samuel Ahmadu, the NWFL Nationwide, which serves as the third tier of Nigeria’s women’s football league structure, will see the two eventual finalists earn automatic promotion to the 2027 NWFL Championship.
The 12 qualified clubs have been drawn into four groups of three teams each, with Group A comprising Kwara United Queens FC of Kwara State, Solo Wonders Babes FC of Akwa Ibom State and Spunky Blazers FA of Edo State. Group B features hosts C2E Sports Academy of Abia State alongside Bayelsa Princesses FC and Lakeside Queens FC of Ogun State.
In Group C, Onimarg FC of Ondo State will battle Ubakala Babes FC of Abia State and NAF Queens FC from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, while Group D consists of Plateau United Queens FC, Obosa Football Academy of Lagos State and Osklean FC of Rivers State.
The nine-day competition will begin on Saturday, August 15, with the arrival of participating teams and a mandatory pre-match meeting scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Action on the pitch gets underway on Sunday, August 16, with the opening round of group stage matches. Following a rest day on Monday, August 17, the second round of group fixtures will be played on Tuesday, August 18, before the final round of group matches takes place on Wednesday, August 19.
After another rest day on Thursday, August 20, the top teams will contest the semi-finals on Friday, August 21, with the winners to clinch automatic promotion to the 2027 NWFL Championship. Teams will have a final rest day on Saturday, August 22, before the tournament concludes with the championship final on Sunday, August 23, when the new champions will be crowned.
Speaking ahead of the competition, NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, described the Nationwide as a vital component of the league’s development structure and a platform for discovering and nurturing the next generation of women’s football talents.
“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,” she said.
“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. We are confident that the championship will further showcase the immense talent and continued growth of women’s football across Nigeria.”
Shabi also appreciated the Abia State Government, the Local Organising Committee and other stakeholders for their support towards hosting the competition, expressing confidence that Aba would provide a fitting stage for another successful edition of the championship.
She further urged participating clubs to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and fair play throughout the tournament, stressing that the NWFL remains committed to creating opportunities for clubs and players to develop and compete at the highest level.
Groups
Group A
•Kwara United Queens FC (Kwara State)
•Solo Wonders Babes FC (Akwa Ibom State)
•Spunky Blazers FA (Edo State)
Group B
•C2E Sports Academy (Abia State)
•Bayelsa Princesses FC (Bayelsa State)
•Lakeside Queens FC (Ogun State)
Group C
•Onimarg FC (Ondo State)
•Ubakala Babes FC (Abia State)
•NAF Queens FC (FCT, Abuja)
Group D
•Plateau United Queens FC (Plateau State)
•Obosa Football Academy (Lagos State)
•Osklean FC (Rivers State)
