Eight Teams Set for NLO South-West Promotion Playoffs in Abeokuta and Ado-Ekiti

Posted : 02 July 2026

The Nationwide League One board has finalized administrative arrangements for the upcoming South-West Promotion Playoffs, which will run from July 10 to July 15, 2026. This high-stakes football tournament brings together eight ambitious amateur teams from across the region to compete for professional elevation. The teams will compete fiercely in a round-robin format to secure one of the two available slots in the Nigeria National League.

League organizers confirmed that matches will take place simultaneously across two separate venues to preserve the sporting integrity of the tournament. The iconic MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta will serve as the designated center for the highly competitive South-West 1 zone. This specific qualification pool features four prominent Lagos-based football clubs, namely Franceex United, Ablaze FC, Hepzebah FC, and Ikorodu FC.

The Kayode Oluyemi Stadium in Ado-Ekiti will play host to the parallel fixtures of the South-West 2 qualification bracket. This section of the tournament brings together formidable regional rivals representing three distinct neighboring states. The teams fighting for the second professional ticket are Dokkal Khairu FC from Osun State, Adeyemi FC from Oyo State, alongside Ijebu United and Yewa FA from Ogun State.

All participating football clubs are expected to arrive at their respective host cities on or before July 9 for the mandatory pre-tournament technical briefing. The league secretariat has directed each qualified team to pay a non-negotiable participation fee of 200,000 Naira into the official regulatory bank account. Furthermore, State Football Associations must ensure that all qualifying clubs are thoroughly screened, properly cleared, and fully updated on scheduling.

Securing a promotion ticket to the Nigeria National League represents a massive financial and professional milestone for these grassroots teams. This tier shift elevates local clubs into the mainstream professional football ecosystem, which drastically increases global scouting opportunities and corporate sponsorships. Local fans are already anticipating intense regional rivalries, especially with multiple clubs representing Lagos and Ogun states looking to assert dominance.

The tournament management issued a final warning stating that acts of indiscipline or administrative delays will face immediate disciplinary measures. Any club that fails to present valid player licenses during the pre-match inspection will be barred from participating in the tournament. Officials urged regional soccer administrators to prioritize fair play, execute strict safety protocols, and maintain absolute compliance with league laws.

Eight Teams Set for NLO South-West Promotion Playoffs in Abeokuta and Ado-Ekiti

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