In what appears to be a brewing governance controversy in Nigerian football, Akwa United, Heartland, and Lobi Stars are allegedly lobbying the Nigeria National League (NNL) to sidestep a transfer ban imposed by the Nigeria Football Federation Players Status and Arbitration Committee (NFF PSAC) — despite failing to settle debts owed to former players and coaches.
The NFF PSAC had earlier slammed the clubs with sanctions for breaching contractual obligations, prohibiting them from signing or registering new players until all outstanding payments are cleared.
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However, a Sports247 investigation has uncovered that the affected clubs have been exerting intense pressure on the NNL secretariat to “look the other way” and approve registrations for newly recruited players who have already been featuring in pre-season friendly matches.
A source within the NNL, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, confirmed that none of the clubs have presented proof of payment to their aggrieved players or received formal clearance from the NFF PSAC.
“As of now, none of the clubs has submitted any document confirming settlement of their debts. The NFF PSAC has not given us any clearance to register new players,” the official said.
“Yet, these clubs are mounting pressure, pleading that the debts belong to the previous managements and that the current administrators should be given time to resolve inherited issues.”
The insider disclosed that the NNL management has so far resisted attempts to override the PSAC directive but hinted that political interference and internal lobbying could test the league’s resolve in the coming days.
“They keep coming with the same excuse — new management, old debt — but the rule is clear. Until you pay what you owe, you can’t register new players,” the source emphasized.
With the 2025 NNL season set to commence this weekend in Lafia — where Basira FC will take on Mighty Jets FC in the season opener, questions are now being raised about whether the NNL will uphold regulatory integrity or bow to pressure from powerful club interests.
If the NNL succumbs, it could set a dangerous precedent — one that weakens enforcement of contractual justice in Nigerian football and undermines the NFF’s disciplinary framework.
