The 2023–24 NWFL Premiership is the designated top‑division season of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) for the 2023–2024 football calendar. The NWFL Premiership—formerly known as the Nigeria Women Premier League—is the highest tier of women's association football in Nigeria and is administered by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in collaboration with the NWFL governing body.
League Structure
- Teams: The competition typically features 20 clubs, which are often split into two geographic groups (often termed "Group A" and "Group B") for the regular season phase. The exact composition of the 2023–24 season's participants is determined by promotion and relegation from the preceding season's NWFL Championship (second tier) and by any licensing decisions of the NFF.
- Format: During the regular season, teams play a double round‑robin within their group, earning three points for a win, one point for a draw, and none for a loss. The top clubs from each group advance to a championship playoff (commonly a "Super Four" or knockout stage) to determine the overall league champion and qualification for continental competition.
- Relegation: The lowest‑placed clubs in each group are typically relegated to the NWFL Championship for the following season, while the top teams from that lower division are promoted.
Season Timeline
- The 2023–24 season is scheduled to commence in the latter half of 2023, with the regular season concluding in early to mid‑2024. Specific match dates, kickoff times, and the full calendar are announced by the NFF and the league's communications office prior to the start of competition.
Continental Qualification
- The champion of the NWFL Premiership secures a berth in the CAF Women's Champions League, Africa's premier club competition for women’s football. In some editions, the runner‑up may also qualify, depending on CAF’s allocation rules and the performance of Nigerian clubs in preceding tournaments.
Broadcast and Media
- Matches are broadcast domestically through the NFF's official streaming platforms and may be televised on selected Nigerian sports networks. Highlights and live updates are also disseminated via the NWFL’s official website and social media channels.
Sponsorship and Partnerships
- The league is supported by commercial sponsors, which may include telecommunications companies, banking institutions, and sports apparel brands. Sponsorship agreements commonly influence the league’s official name, prize money, and marketing initiatives for the season.
Governance and Regulations
- The competition adheres to the Laws of the Game as established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and follows regulations promulgated by the NFF concerning player eligibility, club licensing, and disciplinary procedures.
Current Status
- As of the latest publicly available information, detailed data on the full fixture list, exact number of participating clubs, and final tournament structure for the 2023–24 NWFL Premiership remain pending release by the league authorities. Updates are typically provided through official league communications and the NFF’s announcements.