NNL Makes PSAC Clearance Mandatory for Clubs’ Registration of New Players Ahead of 2026/27
The Nigeria National League (NNL) has made clearance from the Nigeria Football Federation’s Player Status and Arbitration Committee (PSAC) a key requirement for clubs with outstanding player-related obligations seeking to complete the registration of new players for the 2026/2027 season.
The directive comes as the NNL intensifies its registration process ahead of the new campaign, scheduled to kick off on October 31, 2026.
In a memo circulated to the 34 participating clubs, the NNL outlined a series of mandatory conditions that must be satisfied before clubs can complete their registration.
NNL Chief Operating Officer, Danlami Alanana, reminded clubs that full compliance with the NFF Club Licensing Regulations remains compulsory.
A major provision requires clubs to provide proof that they are not indebted to players and coaches in respect of sign-on fees, salaries and allowances.
Where a club has an unresolved financial obligation, registration will not be completed until the matter has been cleared through the appropriate NFF arbitration process, with the club required to present confirmation of settlement or clearance.
The measure places PSAC decisions at the centre of the registration process for clubs carrying unresolved player-related disputes, effectively making compliance with outstanding awards and obligations a condition for bringing new players into the league.
Clubs must also submit duly signed contracts for players and officials, while teams with outstanding financial obligations to the NNL—including fines, cautions and registration fees from previous seasons—will be prevented from completing registration until the debts are settled.
The NNL has further imposed a mandatory ₦20 million guarantee on participating clubs as evidence of their commitment and financial capacity to complete the season.
Beyond financial compliance, clubs are expected to provide evidence of incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commission, details of shareholders and a transparent ownership structure.
They must also present an approved home ground that meets NNL and NFF standards, functional dressing rooms and medical facilities, valid insurance coverage for players and officials, and coaches with the appropriate CAF qualifications.
The NNL has confirmed that registration for the new season is already underway and warned that clubs that fail to meet the stipulated requirements before the deadline will be barred from participating in the 2026/2027 campaign.
The new NNL season is scheduled to begin on October 31, with four promotion places available for clubs seeking to secure a place in the Nigeria Premier Football League.
For clubs with unresolved player disputes, the message from the league is unambiguous: outstanding obligations must be settled, or the required PSAC clearance obtained, before new-player registration can be completed.
