We Must Operate in Line with Our NLO Statues, League COO, Shola Ogunnowo Insists
Abdulgafar Oladimeji
The Chief Operating Officer, Nationwide League One, NLO, Shola Ogunnowo has insisted that the activities of the third tier league would only be conducted in compliance with the provisions of its regulatory statues.
Ogunnowo responding to the complaints raised by the group identified as the NLO Progressives Club Owners Chairmen , which formally appealed to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to reconsider the reintroduction of the home and away format to the 2026 Nationwide League One (NLO) season.
The chairmen under the aegis of the forum, in their appeal cited the huge financial and operational challenges that may hinder the grassroots clubs from adjusting to the home and away format that has been introduced by the league organizers.
Responding, Ogunnowo said the approach to the matter by the club chairmen was wrong , explaining that NLO statues provides for the competition to be staged in an home and away format.
Ogunnowo further explained that such matters raised by the club chairmen were supposed to have been addressed during the league’s Annual General Meeting, AGM , where such matter are designated for deliberations.
According to him, raising such critical issues outside the framework of NLO statutory provisions contravenes the provisions of NLO statues.
He frowned at the NLO Progressives Club Owners Chairmen, noting that in line with football traditions and regulations the forum is not formally recognized by the league governing body.
He further stressed that “Some of them have been at the forefront of demanding the home-and-away format, blackmailing the league and accusing us of benefiting from the stadium format without helping the clubs. Now they are the same set asking us to revert to the old order,” .
“In NLO, we will continue to do the best things that will benefit the league, not the interest of a few,” .
