Chairperson of the NWFL, Nkechi Obi, has officially concluded her two-year tenure, ending a transformational spell widely regarded as one of the most impactful in the league’s history, www.aclsports.com reports.
In a formal memo to the NFF, Obi confirmed the expiration of the board’s term and presented a detailed account of its stewardship a rare act of transparency in Nigerian football governance.
During her time in charge, the NWFL saw remarkable progress in visibility, structure, and professionalism. For the first time ever, every match of the 2024 and 2025 Super 6 was shown live, while the Championship League also enjoyed global streaming access. The league’s digital footprint doubled across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, while a professional LinkedIn launch helped attract corporate interest.
Her tenure was marked by major structural reforms. The NWFL Premiership expanded from 14 to 20 teams, while the second-tier Championship doubled in size. At the grassroots level, a newly established States League, featuring over 150 teams across 30 states, is set to debut in August 2025.
Financially, the NWFL experienced a remarkable turnaround. From a ₦25 million deficit in 2023, the league recorded a ₦3 million surplus by 2024. In another milestone, the 2025 Super 6 tournament was sponsored by a privately owned club, the first time in league history. The number of private clubs in the Premiership also grew from two to five, reflecting renewed confidence from the private sector.
Player welfare also improved significantly under Obi’s leadership. The league’s minimum wage rose from ₦30,000 to ₦80,000, and NWFL players featured more prominently in Nigeria’s national teams across various age groups. The country also returned to the CAF Women’s Champions League with renewed strength.
Although her tenure has officially ended, Obi confirmed that preparations for the upcoming States League and Championship playoffs are still ongoing. She has directed the NWFL Chief Operating Officer to complete handover documentation, including financial reports, for the incoming board.
“As we bow out, I am proud of what we accomplished together,” she wrote. “We’ve built a foundation that I hope future boards can build on.”
Nkechi Obi leaves office with her legacy firmly intact, one that raised the bar, reset expectations, and redefined what’s possible for women’s football in Nigeria.
