NANPF Commends NPFL, NNL for Tougher Club Licensing and Debt Enforcement

The National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers (NANPF) has commended the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and Nigeria National League (NNL) for taking decisive steps to strengthen club licensing, enforce financial discipline and protect players from contractual defaults.

The players’ union particularly welcomed the NNL’s decision to require all 34 participating clubs to settle outstanding salaries, allowances and sign-on fees, as well as comply with decisions of the NFF Players’ Status and Arbitration Committee (PSAC), before receiving clearance for the new season.

NANPF also described the introduction of a mandatory ₦20 million financial guarantee and compulsory insurance coverage as important measures that could significantly strengthen player protection and raise professional standards across the second-tier league.

The union similarly praised the NPFL for adopting a more direct approach to the enforcement of arbitration decisions, particularly through the deduction of verified club debts from sponsorship allocations and other central distributions.

According to NANPF, such direct enforcement provides a practical mechanism for addressing the persistent problem of unpaid player entitlements, while ensuring that arbitration decisions are translated into tangible outcomes for affected players.

The union said the NPFL’s approach sends a clear message that clubs cannot continue to default on contractual obligations without consequences.

For players who have waited years for salaries, allowances, transfer-related payments and other contractual entitlements, NANPF believes the measures represent an important shift from prolonged disputes to meaningful enforcement.

The union noted that the latest developments are consistent with its long-standing advocacy for contract sanctity, improved working conditions, responsible club administration and strict compliance with player-protection provisions under domestic football regulations.

NANPF therefore urged the NPFL, NNL and other relevant authorities to sustain the momentum and ensure that the new measures are implemented consistently and without selective enforcement.

The union also reaffirmed its willingness to work with the NFF, NPFL, NNL, clubs and other stakeholders to strengthen regulatory compliance, financial accountability and administrative discipline.

For NANPF, protecting players from contractual exploitation is not only a welfare issue but a fundamental requirement for building a credible and sustainable professional football system in Nigeria.