By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
  • Home
  • International
    InternationalShow More
    UNICEF Raises Alarm Over 14m Children Worldwide At Risk Of Malnutrition
    4 weeks ago
    United Nations for Women
    In 8 Days, 830 Killed In Gaza – UN Women Raises Alarm
    1 month ago
    Sudan
    Beijing Declaration: Nations Reiterates Commitment To Rights Of Women
    2 months ago
    VFS Global
    VFS Global Launches Artificial Intelligence -Powered Chatbot For UK Visa Customers In Nigeria, 140 Other Nations
    2 months ago
    Bigo Live’s Global Community Marks a Year of Influence at Annual Gala
    4 months ago
  • Africa
    Africa
    Show More
    Top News
    African Union Member States Pledge To Improve Nutrition And Food Security In Africa
    2 years ago
    Climate Change: How Women Weather The Storm In Sudan
    2 years ago
    New Visa Requirement For Namibian Nationals Visiting the United Kingdom
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    African Union Champions Artificial Intelligence for Africa’s Socioeconomic Transformation
    1 month ago
    United Kingdom Looks to Deepen Energy Trade, Investment Ties with Africa
    2 months ago
    African Leaders Unite to Mobilize African Investment and Financing for Implementing Agenda 2063
    2 months ago
    How Youssouf Upset Odinga To Emerge New AU Chair
    3 months ago
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
    Politics
    Show More
    Top News
    Voters In Katsina Vow To Dump Buhairi, APC
    2 years ago
    My Son Must Win, Ondo State’s King Threatens His People
    2 years ago
    I Will Not Disappoint My Constituents, Dekor Reassures Ogoni People
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    LG Election: Stakeholders Appeal To APC Not To Allow Chairmen Run For 3rd term
    3 days ago
    More APC Chairmanship Aspirants Reject Indirect Primary For Local Govt Elections In Lagos State
    5 days ago
    Youth Party Sets May 18 for Lagos LG Primary Elections, Slashes Fees For Women and PWDs
    3 weeks ago
    Oyo State Faces Herculean Task in Picking Makinde’s Successor – Chief Ayorinde
    2 months ago
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
    News
    Show More
    Top News
    Ondo Governor, Akeredolu Begins Construction Of First Flyover In Akure
    2 years ago
    Celebration Of Life: Reverend Adewumi Jegede Of Later House Of God Assembly Buried Amid Pomp
    11 months ago
    Pa Abdulfatah Amoo Ayanwale
    Pa Ayanwale Dies At 76, Fidau Prayers Holds 8 August
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Lagos Govt Organises Canada Overseas Study Tour For Youth Leaders
    6 days ago
    May Day 2025: CAPPA Urges FG, States to Prioritise Workers Welfare, Demands Implementation of a Living Wage
    1 week ago
    Umuezie Elections: Unity In Political Diversity is Key For Community Development, Former IMSUAA Boss Tells New Executive
    2 weeks ago
    2025 Edelman Trust Barometer Report Exposes Growing Mistrust Among Nigerians Towards Their Leaders, CEOs
    5 days ago
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
    Entertainment
    Show More
    Top News
    Come Play Naija Season 2 Finale, BB Titans, Other Shows On GOtv This Weekend
    2 years ago
    Bishop Obey-Fabiyi, Onaolapo, Back May 7 World Praise Day
    2 years ago
    Savy Henry Evicted From Nigerian Idol Season 8
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Prestige, Impact: Why AMVCA is the People’s Award Show
    16 hours ago
    Celebrating African Cinema: AMVCA’s Growing Influence in Global Entertainment
    2 weeks ago
    Boulder International Film Festival Announces 2026 Festival Dates
    3 weeks ago
    Voices of the Future: How MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Filmmakers are Redefining African Storytelling
    4 weeks ago
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
    Lifestyle
    Show More
    Top News
    YSMA
    Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art and Toledo Museum of Art Launch Historic Cultural Exchange
    24 hours ago
    Leadership
    CEO Shares 3 Qualities Every Effective Leader Has
    1 year ago
    ‘Artificial Nails, Wigs Attract Misfortune To Ladies’
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art and Toledo Museum of Art Launch Historic Cultural Exchange
    24 hours ago
    Piracy in Africa’s Creative Sector: How Creators Can Protect Their Content
    3 weeks ago
    Fanti Carnival Returns To Lagos This Easter Sunday
    3 weeks ago
    Ara Adire Fashion Show 2025 To Celebrate Culture, Style And Creativity In Abeokuta
    1 month ago
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
    BusinessShow More
    Unity Bank Launches GenFi, Targets Children, Teens With Gamified Banking Platform
    3 days ago
    Africa Energies Summit
    Africa Energies Summit in London Must Prioritize Hiring Black Africans
    4 days ago
    Fitch Rating: Lagos Economy Is Stable
    6 days ago
    National Oil Spill Detection and Remediation Agency
    How Nigeria Lost $78.2m To Gas Flaring In Early 2025
    1 week ago
    BUA Foods Records N125bn Profit As Revenue Grows By 24% In Q1 2025 Unaudited Financial Results
    1 week ago
  • Health
    Health
    Show More
    Top News
    WHO Gives Nigerian Laboratory Full Accreditation To Fight Measles And Rubella
    2 years ago
    European Union Allocates N75m To Prevent Spread Of Diphtheria In Nigeria
    2 years ago
    US Govt Must Heed Lessons Of PEPFAR – AIDS Society Warns
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    VillageReach Names Dr. Ahmed Ogwell As CEO To Drive Its 2030 Strategy
    1 week ago
    Trump’s Trade War: Prescription Drugs Become a Target
    4 weeks ago
    BPAN Unveils Free Healthcare Program for Nigerian boxers, signs MOU with NIH
    4 weeks ago
    More Than A Disease, TB Is A Symptom Of Underinvestment By Dr Allan Pamba
    4 weeks ago
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Reading: Successes Of Nigeria Women Football League And Challenges By Dapo Sotiminu
Share
Notification Show More
Aa
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
Aa
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
  • Politics
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Health
  • More
Search
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
  • Health
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Independent News Express > Blog > Opinion > Successes Of Nigeria Women Football League And Challenges By Dapo Sotiminu
Opinion

Successes Of Nigeria Women Football League And Challenges By Dapo Sotiminu

Last updated: 2022/08/30 at 6:57 PM
3 years ago
Share
SHARE

 

The present board of the Nigeria Women Football League headed by Aisha Falode as Chairperson was sworn-in in 2017 by the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick.

Aisha Falode, is the only female board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, while the NWFL Vice Chairperson is the only female FA Chairman in Nigeria, the RT. Honourable Margaret Incheen. These tell a lot about the dynamic activities, innovations and achievements of the NWFL.

In the first year of the League board, the NWFL showed a road map toward the positive development of the gender game throughout the league.

- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

The league board introduced the Super Six Challenge that came after the Super League in the NWFL Premiership League to determine the season’s Champions in the 16-team Club Women’s League.

The Super Six 2017 edition was hosted and sponsored by the Edo State Government by His Excellency, Gov. Godwin Obaseki. And in five years, Edo State has hosted the Super Six twice, in 2017 and 2022.

This edition of the Super Six saw the introduction of prize money to the Women’s League, as the eventual league Champions, Nasarawa Amazons FC of Lafia went home with a cash prize of N5 million, second-placed got N3m and third placed got N2m. This was the first time prize money in millions was paid to the women’s league champions and other top winners.

After the introduction of prize monies in 2017, the NWFL headed by Aisha Falode, never looked back until date even as the new season for the 2022/2023 resumes on September 14.

The board of the NWFL entered into a partnership with the LaLiga Women’s Football Department in Spain to develop the Nigerian league. Here, the coaches of the 16 League clubs, later reduced to 14 clubs, are trained regularly by the LaLiga Women’s Department on Tactical Discipline and progressive open play, with a focus on goal scoring and winning mentality. This stood out to be another first for women’s football in Nigeria.

This partnership witnessed the coming of the “LaLiga Show Your Other Side” programme which assembles the best players in the Premiership League season to play in a Free Style Football Challenge. This comes immediately after the season ends.

The NWFL entered into a partnership with the United Nations on the Protection and Safety of the Girl Child Against Discrimination, Slavery and Human Trafficking.

The Aisha Falode-led NWFL board signed a Partnership with UNICEF on the Protection for Refugees in Nigeria, Protection Against Domestic Violence On The Girl Child and Eradication of Girl Child Prostitution.
This programme has been held twice in Nigeria at the Elegbeta Sports Centre, Lagos Island and the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Edo State.

Dapo Sotiminu

The Aisha Falode-led NWFL introduced the NWFL Champions Shield where the League Champions play a kind of Charity Cup against the Aiteo Cup winners to know the Champion of Champions for each season.

Aisha Falode’s board ended the era of incessant Walk Overs in the Women’s League. Before 2017, the order of the league had been “Walk Overs” at Home and Away venues. These led to grave instability in the league, which didn’t allow for further development of the Women’s League. The coming of the Aisha Falode-led was a New Dawn in the Women’s Football League in Nigeria.

The board started the payment of Match Indemnities to referees on home and away games, this helped stabilized the women’s league and aided development.

One year after Aisha Falode-led board took over the mantle of leadership of the league board, the Super Falcons had seven home-based players as regulars in the Falcons team to the 2018 African Women Cup of Nations in Ghana. They include Anam Imo, Rashedat Ajibade, Chidima Okereke, Amarachi Okoronkwo, Uchenna Kanu and Chiamaka Nnadozie among others. These same players represented the country at the 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup.

The Falode-led board improved the standard of the league and level of competition with the use of international standard referees who are FIFA Referees. The Referees’ performance grew higher as Aisha Falode introduced a monthly award for the Best Referee, an award sponsored by the Lagos FA Chairman and First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi. This award has been on consistently for four years.

The Introduction of Match Assessors to the NWFL Premiership League aided the development of the women’s league, as assessors’ objective reports from the match venue improved the credibility of the league and helped in the unbiased assessment of the league.

The Aisha Falode-led NWFL introduced the CAF and FIFA Training/Seminars for Club Media Officers, a move that has brightened the media coverage and reportage of the NWFL League.

The league board also introduced the CAF and FIFA Management training for Women League top Managers. This has boosted the knowledge and experience of the Managers who are now well equipped to do the job better than before.

The Aisha Falode-led board introduced the Club Licensing and Registration Process for all the NWFL Premiership League clubs in Nigeria. This has smoothened the registration processes for the clubs while they prepare for the season.

With the Aisha Falode-led NWFL, the coverage and reportage of the women’s league in all sections of the media quadrupled. The print, electronics, and Social Media consistently covered and reported the Women’s Football League more than any football league in Nigeria.

The Introduction and Insistence of standard remuneration for all players and officials of the NWFL Premiership League clubs, and Bank Guarantees to assure unbroken monthly payment of players’ salaries all through the season.

Aisha Falode’s tenure as Chairperson of the NWFL, also witnessed two Premiership clubs achieve Pay Parity with the men’s football clubs in their states.
Edo Queens FC of Benin was the first to achieve pay parity in Nigeria, followed closely by Bayelsa Queens of Yenagoa and other clubs like Delta Queens and Nasarawa Amazons are working towards that direction, with few steps left to achieve this milestone.

Falode made players’ Health Insurance Scheme and Cover very important for all the NWFL Premiership Clubs. For effective compliance, players’ insurance documents are submitted alongside club registration before the start of the season.

With the exemplary Administration of Aisha Falode, the Nigeria Women Football League, achieved a women’s football revolution at the 2020 NWFL Super Six, at the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, when three Deputy Governors, the Minister for Youths and Sports, the NFF president and Fifa Council member, the First Vice president, four state Sports Commissioners, the FA Chairmen of six states and 10 Executive board members of the Nigeria Football Federation among other state government functionaries, were all in attendance watching matches of the 2020 Super Six at the same time at the Dipo Dina International Stadium for upward of four days. That edition of the Women’s league Super Six was the biggest sports event of the period in Nigeria.

Falode got two Sponsorships for the NWFL Premiership League in 2022 from the Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Ltd for the regular season and the Tulcan Energy Resources strictly for the Super Six.

The sponsorship from Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Ltd is the first of its kind in the Nigerian football league, male or female. In full completion of the Sponsorship package worth N3.5 billion, the sponsors will build 14 mini stadia for the 14 Premiership clubs in the NWFL. These stadia will be equipped with international standard dressing rooms, hostels, floodlights and Club House, in pursuit of making all the NWFL Premiership Clubs, true professional clubs.
Before this achievement by the Aisha Falode-led board, the Nigeria Women’s League last got Sponsorship in 2006 by a soft drink giant. The league had remained without Sponsorship for 16 years before Aisha Falode gave it life again, with two Sponsorships at a time.

THE CHALLENGES

Despite all the successes achieved by the Aisha Falode-led NWFL, the league board still had its challenges.

The uniform payment of N150,000 monthly salary for the least paid NWFL Premiership player has been a huge challenge, as clubs have been very adamant to comply with this.
From all indications, this seems an impossible task to realise going by the body language of the clubs’ Chairmen. Some clubs pay their players as low as N35,000 monthly salary, while some don’t even pay salaries at all to some of their players.

The failure of 100 percent compliance with the Club Licencing Regulations by the clubs as it relates to player transfer, has been a huge challenge.

This has become a problem for the NWFL coupled with players’ insincerity tainted by desperation to change clubs without following due process.

One hundred percent curbing of match-fixing has been difficult for the league board to achieve one hundred percent result. The clubs continue to act like International match fixing cartels beating all moves to nip the nefarious activity in the bud.

On suspicion or tip-off of a possible match-fixing, the NWFL board has been able to immediately cancel match appointments done by the NFF Referees Appointment Committee, and replace the suspected match-fixing referee before match kick-off.

In the last five years, the Nigeria Women Football League has recorded more successes than ever before, since the inception of women’s football in Nigeria.

This was a paper delivered by Dapo Sotiminu of the Communications Department of Nigeria Women Football League at the Sports Centre Awareness Forum 2nd Annual Public Awards at the White House Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on 27 August, 2022

 

You Might Also Like

Ekiti’26: A Gale Of Gov. Oyebanji’s Half-Pie Endorsement And The Rest Of Us

Wanted: Blueprint For Nigeria’s Waste Management Crisis

BOOK REVIEW: Big Debt, Big Thirst: A Case Study of World Bank Supported Water Projects in Ekiti, Rivers and Bauchi States

A Tribute To Dr. Mike Adenuga @72 By Adebayo Ogunbiyi

Degrees Without Skills: Why Nigeria Needs More Techies, Not More Universities

TAGGED: Aisha Falode, Dapo Sotiminu, Nigeria Women Football League, Sports Centre Awareness Forum 2nd Annual Public Awards
INadminNG August 30, 2022 August 30, 2022
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Telegram Email Print
Previous Article United Nations Population Fund Appoints New Regional Director
Next Article PalmPay Hits 10 Million User Milestone In Nigeria
about us

Independent News Express (iNews Express), a publication of 4Ds Nigeria Limited, is birthed out of the desires of the founding fathers to report News as it is.

We value Professionalism, Excellence, Service, Creativity and Integrity.

The Company

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Policy

Quick Links

  • Advertise with us
  • Newsletters
  • Deal

Categories

Find Us on Socials

© Independent News Express. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?