The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is the top league for club football in the country, where the best teams battle it out for bragging rights, trophies, and a chance to fly Nigeria’s flag in Africa.
The 2024–25 season, which runs from August 2024 to May 2025, has brought exciting football, unexpected surprises, and tough moments for fans and teams alike. This review breaks down how the top four and bottom four teams has fared by the final whistle.
After 37 matchdays, the dust settled, and the league table told the story – title dreams fulfilled, continental slots clinched, and relegation heartbreak for some.
Top 4 teams
Remo Stars are in a league of their own this season, lifting their first-ever NPFL title with 71 points, wrapping it up with three games to spare—a true title-winning performance. They also made history by becoming the first South-west club to win the league since 2000. Their backline was rock solid, letting in just 28 goals, and with a goal difference of +21, they showed they could grind out results both at home and away.
They may not have been the most attacking side, with 49 goals, but their 22 wins and strong home form proved key. Playing at home felt like a fortress for them – most visiting teams went back empty-handed. Remo Stars played like true champions, balancing defense and attack to perfection.
Rivers United have given a good fight and are second with 61 points. Their eyes were firmly set on securing a CAF Champions League ticket, with Abia Warriors only one point behind them – with only one match to go. Like the champs, they have conceded only 28 goals, showing they could shut out the opposition. But their attack hasn’t packed the same punch, scoring just 33 goals.
That lack of firepower up front meant they dropped points in games they could have won. A goal difference of +5 reflects tighter games and narrow wins. In the end, it was a solid season, but one that left them thinking “what if?”
Abia Warriors are one of the season’s surprise packages, currently third with 60 points and bagging a continental spot. Their campaign has seen a resurgence, powered by in-form strikers like Sunday Megwo and Ijoma Desouza, who gave defenders a tough time all season.
They have racked up 18 wins, scored 41 goals, and conceded 37, ending with a +4 goal difference. Their attack has been lively, though their defense has been a bit leaky compared to the top two. Still, they have outperformed expectations and are among the league’s most exciting teams to watch.
Surprise package – Ikorodu City
What a debut! Ikorodu City, newly promoted this season, took everyone by surprise and are sitting pretty well in a stunning 4th position with 56 points. They brought attacking flair and fearless football, scoring a league-high 57 goals, including a thumping 6-0 home win—the biggest of the season.
But their defense have had holes, and have conceded 42 goals. With a goal difference of +15, they clearly followed the philosophy of “we’ll score more than you.” Their 16 wins show they belonged in the top flight, and if they shore up their defense, they could be title challengers next season.
The bottom 4 teams
Heartland just about dodging the relegation bullet, on 17th place with 45 points. It was another rough ride, especially after being relegated last season but later reinstated. The club went through a coaching shake-up, which didn’t help stability.
They have 11 wins and have scored 31 goals, letting in 33, for a -2 goal difference. They weren’t awful at either end, but lacked the cutting edge to pull away from danger. Surviving by a slim margin shows there’s work to be done if they want to avoid another scare.
Akwa United’s season ended in disappointment, as they slipped into the drop zone, having accrued 44 points. Even though they managed 12 wins, poor consistency and a leaky defense have cost them. They need other results to go their way on the last matchday.
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With 34 goals scored and 37 conceded, their -3 goal difference points to tight games lost due to lapses in focus. They stayed in the relegation dogfight until the closing weeks, but couldn’t pull off the great escape.
Sunshine Stars were stuck in trouble for most of the season and finally dropped to the Nigeria National League (NNL). A key moment was their loss to fellow strugglers Niger Tornadoes, which sealed their fate.
They have let in 50 goals—second-worst in the league—and only managed 34 goals, summing up a -16 goal difference. Poor defending proved to be their undoing. Despite some late-season hopes, it wasn’t enough to beat the drop.
It was a season to forget for Lobi Stars, who finished rock bottom and are on 25 points. They only have 5 wins, scored just 27 goals, and conceded 55, finishing with a -28 goal difference—the worst all-round stats in the league.
They were stuck in freefall for most of the season, and even the fans knew early on that survival was a long shot. Their long winless run made them the league’s whipping boys, and they’ll need a total rebuild in the National League.
The 2024–25 NPFL season was full of twists and turns. Remo Stars were worthy champions, proving that solid defense wins titles. Rivers United and Abia Warriors kept pace, while Ikorodu City stole the show as newcomers who refused to play small.
At the other end, it was a hard-fought relegation battle. Heartland and Akwa United will know their fates on the final day, Sunshine Stars, and Lobi Stars dropped into the second tier. Their struggles remind us that complacency has no place in the NPFL.
This season showed that in Nigerian football, form, fighting spirit, and finishing matters—whether you’re chasing the trophy or fighting to avoid the drop. The league remains fiercely competitive, and next season promises even more fireworks.
