The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has officially shut the door on the long-standing practice of promotion slot trading—a decision that directly affects recently relegated Akwa United and Heartland FC, two former champions who had hoped for a quicker route back to the top.
The ban, part of sweeping reforms adopted during the league’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), puts an end to one of the NPFL’s most controversial backdoor practices—the sale of top-flight slots to clubs that failed to earn promotion on sporting grounds.
A Closed Door for Relegated Giants
Both Akwa United and Heartland suffered relegation from the NPFL at the end of the 2023/24 season and had been touted in several quarters as potential beneficiaries if any newly promoted side declined to take up their place.
In previous seasons, such scenarios opened the door for wealthy or influential clubs to buy their way back into the league, often at the expense of more deserving lower-tier teams. That is no longer possible.
With the new rule, if a club promoted from the Nigeria National League (NNL) pulls out or fails licensing, the NPFL will no longer entertain financial negotiations or club-to-club transactions. The vacated slot will instead be passed on to the next eligible team based on performance in the NNL—starting with the fifth-placed side.
NPFL: “No More Slot Sales—Not for Anyone”
NPFL Chairman Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye confirmed the decision in a recent press briefing, referencing the now-settled case involving Beyond Limits FA and their parent club, Remo Stars.
“We tried to find a sporting solution when Beyond Limits couldn’t take up their spot due to conflict of interest,” he said. “We offered the slot—without payment—to Sporting Lagos and Gombe United. Both declined. Eventually, Heartland took it.”
But moving forward, such latitude is gone.
“In a situation where we don’t have that (conflict of interest), we would not allow the sale of a slot. Not to Heartland, not to Akwa United, not to any club,” Elegbeleye emphasized
A Tiny Window Still Exists
While slot-buying is banned, relegated clubs are not entirely ruled out of contention—but only under strictly regulated conditions.
If a promoted club withdraws or is disqualified, and the next NNL team on the log fails to meet NPFL licensing requirements, a club like Heartland or Akwa United could be considered, provided they meet all the same standards. But that decision would be based on merit and compliance—not cash or influence.
This distinction is crucial: there may still be a door, but it’s locked to money.
More Reforms: Club Leadership Restructured
In addition to outlawing slot sales, the NPFL also introduced new executive guidelines:
- Club chairmen are now required to sign minimum three-year Contracts.
- Senior management staff must have at least two-year terms.
- Clubs in violation will face strict sanctions, including possible disqualification from NPFL participation.
The league aims to curb instability and increase transparency, aligning with international football governance standards.
What This Means for Akwa United, Heartland and other relegated clubs
For clubs like Akwa United and Heartland, both of whom have NPFL titles in their trophy cabinets, the message is clear: promotion must now be earned on the pitch.
Gone are the days when relegated clubs could regroup in the offseason, strike a deal with a struggling NNL team, and find themselves back in the big time. The NPFL has drawn a line—and this time, it’s bold.
If either side wants to return to the elite level, it will have to be through the grind of the NNL, or, in a rare case, by emerging as the best eligible replacement—without resorting to slot shopping.
