In a significant move on Thursday, the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) took action to enforce arbitration decisions made by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Players Status/Arbitration Committee. This step comes after several clubs failed to utilize the extended moratorium windows to resolve disputes concerning salaries and entitlements of former players and coaches.
Davidson Owumi, the NPFL’s Chief Operating Officer, explained the situation: “Having exhausted the period of grace, we have moved to enforce the judgment. The first step in this process is the withdrawal of licenses for all newly transferred and registered players of the affected clubs for the ongoing season.”
In an official letter addressed to the involved clubs, titled “Indefinite Withdrawal of Licenses of Newly Registered Players For the 2024/25 Season due to Non-Compliance with NFF Players Status/Arbitration Committee Decision,” the NPFL outlined that the withdrawal of licenses will take effect starting from Matchday 10. The letter clearly stated, “As a result of this non-compliance, the licenses of the following newly transferred and registered players for the 2024/2025 season are hereby indefinitely withdrawn, effective from MatchDay 10.”
Among the affected clubs are Plateau United, with 14 players; Lobi Stars, with 15 players; Kwara United, with 20 players; Katsina United; and Enyimba International, with 18 players. Additionally, El-Kanemi Warriors are affected with 13 players, Bayelsa United with 18, Akwa United with 17, and Abia Warriors with 23 players.
The NPFL has made it clear that the licenses will only be restored once official confirmation is received that the clubs have fully complied with the committee’s decision.
