The 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, which kicked off on August 31, 2024, and wrapped up on May 25, 2025, will go down as one of the most thrilling campaigns in recent times. Remo Stars etched their name in the history books by clinching their first-ever NPFL title, finishing top of the table with 71 points from 38 matches. Their title-clinching moment came on April 27, 2025, following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes—making them the first club from the South West to win the league since Julius Berger in 2000.
Rivers United pushed them all the way, ending the season in second place with 64 points, while newcomers Ikorodu City stunned the league by finishing fourth with 59 points in a sensational debut season. The Oga Boys, Ikorodu City scored several goals this season and upsetting more experienced sides, narrowly missing out on a continental spot to Abia Warriors.
Enyimba’s season was a mixed bag, as they struggled for rhythm despite the mid-season boost of veteran striker Brown Ideye, who made his return to the Elephants of Aba in December. Rangers International failed to mount a strong title defense and settled for a mid-table finish, while Shooting Stars showed flashes of brilliance but lacked consistency both on and off the pitch.
This season saw a heartening return of ex-Super Eagles stars to the domestic scene. Ahmed Musa joined Kano Pillars in October 2024, hitting double digits in goals and offering leadership on the pitch. His teammate, Abdullahi Shehu, also rejoined the Kano club. Meanwhile, Brown Ideye brought his goal-scoring back to Enyimba, contributing significantly in key matches.
However, not everything was rosy. Refereeing inconsistencies remained a sore point throughout the campaign, drawing criticism from senior players like Musa and Ideye, who voiced concerns over the standard of officiating.
There were also plenty of standout individual performances. Anas Yusuf emerged as the league’s top scorer with 17 goals, while the likes of Savior Isaac, Rabiu Ali, and Waliu Ojetoye, Olamilekan Adedayo where brilliant for their respective clubs.
At the bottom of the table, it was heartbreak for Heartland FC, Akwa United FC, Sunshine Stars FC, and Lobi Stars FC, all of whom were relegated to the Nigeria National League (NNL).
Heartland FC, 5-time league champions, found themselves relegated for the fourth time in nine years. Despite a 2-1 win over Akwa United on the final day, results elsewhere sealed their fate. Their season was plagued by poor defensive form, lack of cutting edge up front, and a disjointed recruitment approach. Emmanuel Amuneke couldn’t reverse their fortunes.
Akwa United, champions in 2021, couldn’t recover from a turbulent campaign and their loss to Heartland in their final game sealed their relegation.
Sunshine Stars had one of the leakiest defenses in the league, conceding 51 goals.
Lobi Stars also had a forgettable campaign. Despite the high-profile hiring of Daniel Amokachi, the club failed to find stability. The former Super Eagles legend resigned midway through the season on Matchday 19, with the club never recovering.
Off the pitch, the league made progress in visibility and coverage, thanks to improved broadcasting partnerships with Propel Sports Africa and StarTimes, bringing more matches to fans across the country.
The 2024/2025 NPFL season was unpredictable, dramatic, and entertaining.
