The Ladder to Greatness: A Look at the High-Stakes NWFL Nationwide, Past and Present

The 2025 NWFL Nationwide tournament in Bwari, Abuja, is heating up, with the race for promotion to the NWFL Championship reaching a fever pitch. Today, Wednesday, October 15, 2025, is a scheduled rest day, allowing the ten competing clubs to recuperate and strategize before the decisive final rounds of matches. The brief pause comes after Matchday 3, setting the stage for the dramatic conclusion of the week-long competition on October 17.

The tournament brings together ten clubs split into two groups, with only the top two from each advancing to the NWFL Championship. That high-stakes format means every point in Bwari carries immense weight.

The current campaign reflects the same high stakes and varied routes to success as past seasons, where promotion has often hinged on gritty wins, standout individual performances, and rock-solid defensive discipline.

A Historical Look at the Road to Promotion

The NWFL Nationwide has consistently showcased high drama, individual brilliance, and tactical discipline. The following statistics from recent seasons highlight the different strategies clubs have employed to earn their promotion:

The 2023 Campaign: Efficiency and Defence

The 2023 edition was marked by greater defensive solidity, with only 62 goals scored across all matches (16 wins, 8 draws, 16 losses).

Promoted Teams: Gallant Queens and Fortress Ladies earned their tickets to the Championship.

Offensive Power: Chosen Generation led the scoring charts with 11 goals, but their star, Victoria Collins, topped the individual goal chart with a modest 6 goals—a testament to a more balanced competition.

Defensive Rock: Fortress International proved that defence wins promotion, conceding the fewest goals with just 3. In contrast, Castmog scored the fewest (3), while Wazbak International conceded the most (12).

The NWFL Nationwide 2022: Attacking Fireworks

The 2022 tournament saw a flurry of goals, with 77 scored (20 wins, 12 draws, 18 losses), resulting in a larger group of teams gaining promotion.

Promoted Teams: Lakeside Queens, Prince Kareem Eletu Queens, Imo Strikers, and Delta Babes all successfully earned passage to the Championship.

Golden Boot Winner: Chidi Harmony of the promoted group was the top goalscorer with an impressive 11 goals.

Dominant Attack: Imo Striker Queens led the way with the most goals scored (15), highlighting their attacking intent.

Impenetrable Defence: Lakeside Queens achieved a near-perfect defensive record, conceding a remarkable 0 goals, proving an impenetrable barrier en route to promotion. Ekiti Queens scored the fewest (1), while Brave Hearts Queens conceded the most (16).

Historical Impact: A Gallery of Graduates

The league's tradition of producing top-tier clubs is evident in the alumni list:

2021 Participants included Dannaz Ladies FC, Oasis Ladies FC, Royaltoms International FC, Moje Queens FC, Crystal Stars FC, Honey Badgers FC, Beautiful Tours Angels, and 9ineteen Damsels FC.

2020 Promoted Sides: Ubakala Queens & Kwara Ladies also successfully navigated the Nationwide to gain promotion to the Championship.

The current 2025 tournament in Abuja promises to add new names to this illustrious list. As clubs like Osklean FC, Rangers Women FC, Sporting Angels FC, and NAF Queens FC rest today before crucial Matchday 4 fixtures, the historical data is a clear reminder: whether through prolific goalscoring like Imo Striker Queens or an iron-clad defence like Fortress International, only the most consistent and resilient teams will earn the right to climb the ladder of Nigerian women's football.