by Johnson Opeisa
For all the patriotic optimism one might muster, one can hardly argue against the reality that Nigeria’s local leagues and its clubs will remain trapped in their age-old limitations largely due to its deeply ingrained political structure that has been frustratingly resistant to change.
The overall outlook and management of the league leave much to be desired. However, some privately operated clubs are challenging the status quo, with the latest disruptor being Ikorodu City. Grounded in northeast Lagos State, Ikorodu City transitioned from a grassroots movement into a professional club in 2022. About two years and five months later, they became the 10th Lagos-based team to secure promotion to Nigeria’s top-flight league, the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), surging through a remarkable season that will be remembered as extraordinary in every sense of the word.
Since the 54th NPFL season kicked off on August 31, 2024, it has showcased Nigerian club football at its finest, with numerous headline-worthy moments reigniting hope. Over the last seven months, the league has witnessed the homecoming of some of Nigeria’s biggest footballers, national team legends taking up coaching roles, NPFL players and coaches breaking into the Super Eagles, record attendances at various stadiums, and much more, but none have captured attention quite like Ikorodu City.
Ikorodu City and the Brutal Test of NPFL Survival
The first domino fell at Enugu’s Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in June 2024. Right there at the Cathedral, a ground that has staged over five decades of Nigerian football, Ikorodu City secured promotion to the 2024/25 NPFL season with a 2-0 victory over Oshodi-based Madiba FC.
It was their final match of the Nigerian National League (NNL) 2023/24 Super 8 playoffs, and it was the Oga Boys’ first and only victory in the playoffs after finishing at the top of Conference B in the NNL’s regular season. The win, coupled with two initial draws against Inter Lagos and Beyond Limits, was enough to earn them second place behind the Remo Stars’ academy team, which were champions of the Southern Conference. They were joined by Nasarawa United and El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, who completed the four-team promotion quota from the Northern Conference.
From the onset, it was clear that the newly promoted sides faced contrasting paths. Beyond Limits forfeited their NPFL spot to Heartland FC to preserve the league’s integrity and refrain from breaching its framework that opposes same ownership teams competing in the championship concurrently. Meanwhile, Nasarawa United and El-Kanemi Warriors made immediate returns to the top flight after a season in the lower division, with El-Kanemi boosting their momentum by beating 2022 NPFL champion Rivers United to the President Federation Cup. Ikorodu City, however, entered the league with the youngest squad and a significant number of players without NPFL experience.
True to expectations, City endured a tough start. While their fellow promoted sides avoided defeats in their opening matches, they suffered a season-opening loss away to Kano Pillars, followed by a draw against Kwara United. The 1-0 matchday three home loss to defending champions Rangers International was hardly a cause for concern, even though it meant they were the only team yet to find the back of the net at that stage of the league.
But then came the free fall: a three-game winless streak ballooned into five (four losses, one draw), making them, per OPTA NPFL, the joint-worst starters of any NPFL club in the last decade. The last two teams with similar records — Wikki Tourists and Nasarawa United — were both relegated.
Relegation fears loomed large, with history offering little comfort as the season’s only Lagos-based club. The last three Lagos-based clubs to debut in the league—Sporting Lagos (2023/24), Ikorodu United, and Mountain on Fire Miracle (MFM) FC (2015/16)—all struggled in their first seasons, with two getting relegated outright. Sporting Lagos, despite being a burst of fresh energy, missed the safety zone by the slimmest margins. Ikorodu United finished 19th with 32 points, while MFM FC survived relegation on goal difference.
History wasn’t on City’s side, and things seemingly took a turn for the worse when their head coach, Ozebagbe, could no longer stay on their side either. His resignation came out of the blue—one many saw as the final nail in the club’s coffin, given his instrumental role in securing their maiden promotion. One point from a possible 15 would, under normal circumstances, justify a dismissal or its consideration, but the Oga Boys’ management had no plans to part ways with him and was reportedly just as stunned as the fans.
“We did not sack coach Bright,” the club’s football director, Tobi Adepoju, clarified on X (formerly Twitter) after his resignation was announced. “He resigned after securing just one point from a possible 15. When we received his resignation letter, it was shocking to us. We had zero intention of sacking him. We tried to convince him to stay, but he declined.”
Like most clubs in similar situations, Ikorodu City’s management swiftly promoted Bright’s assistant, Nurudeen Aweroro, to interim head coach. This decision would go down as the best managerial move made in Nigeria in 2024.
Ikorodu City head coach Nurudeen Aweroro
Revival
New manager bounce, tactical reset, a stroke of luck—whatever it was, it came at the perfect time for City as they embarked on a three-game unbeaten run (two wins, one draw) from matchday five. A 2-1 loss to Enyimba in their matchday nine fixture seemed like a setback, but between their first meeting with the People’s Elephant in Aba and the thrilling 2-2 draw in the return leg at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on March 16, 2025, no team in NPFL25 has accumulated more points or outscored City.
Enyimba vs Ikorodu City in Aba
As of the time of writing, the Oga Boys have secured 44 out of a possible 70 points, netting 41 goals—at least three more than any other team since the managerial switch. This remarkable turnaround has lifted them from the relegation zone to fourth place, just four points behind second-placed Rivers United, putting them in pole position to qualify for continental competitions next season.
Following their thrilling 2-2 draw against Enyimba in their last match, Ikorodu City’s chances of securing a continental slot are becoming increasingly realistic. However, their 20-year-old captain, Waliu Ojetoye, reiterated the same cautious stance echoed by the club’s hierarchy.
“We’re not fighting for continental slots,’’ he told 54FootballX. “We’re where we are, and we’ll keep fighting to stay in the league,’’ the right-back said.
This is likely an attempt to manage the weight of expectations on the squad. Regardless, they have undoubtedly exceeded predictions with their current standing.
The Structure Behind Ikorodu City’s Competitive Project
What some might call a fluke or the result of weakened competition is, in reality, a carefully built structure. What we’re seeing with Ikorodu City is the product of an intentional and structured football development project spearheaded by Chairman and CEO Sanmi Doherty, a seasoned sports administrator known for his grassroots football initiatives, including the Lagos City Cup and Lagos Island Sports Movement. Supporting him are veteran journalists and long-time NPFL advocates Tobi Adepoju, Sulaiman Adebayo, and Olawale Quadry, all serving as directors, with Samuel Bamisebi serving as media head.
City’s media directors at 2024 League Bloggers Award. Notably Featuring Tobi Adepoju (in white agbada), followed by Olawale Quadry, and Sulaiman Durotoye.
Beyond the first team, Ikorodu City also prioritises sustainability through youth investment. The Ikorodu City Academy serves as a vital talent pipeline, refining young players and integrating them into Nigeria’s top leagues and international football through strategic partnerships.
“Many of our players are playing in their first professional setting,’’ City’s media head, Bamisebi, said. “About 90% haven’t played in the NPFL before. Most have featured in the NNL, while some are making the direct jump from grassroots football to the league.
“Yes, we have a very young squad, and that’s what we can afford at the moment since we can’t compete with other teams financially yet. Staying close to the grassroots and refining the talent there is our edge.”
This approach is already yielding results: 18-year-old academy graduates Freedom Marvelous and Leonard Ngenge anchored the defense in the Oga Boys’ 1-0 victory over Lobi Stars on Matchday 28. Notably, Leonard, who had no prior professional experience before joining the club, is set for a move to the English side Leeds United this summer.
This is a result-oriented model, one the league’s chairman Gbenga Egbeleye may have better described: “Ikorodu City’s performance has been impressive. They’ve shown that privately owned clubs can thrive in the NPFL with proper planning, recruitment, and promotion. From struggling early in the season to now challenging for the title and continental spots, they’ve added excitement and credibility to the league. Their journey is a testament to what can be achieved with the right approach.”
With nine league matches left in the season, Ikorodu City’s fairy-tale run could yet find its perfect finishing touch. In many ways, the Oga Boys have made a strong case for the NPFL to embrace private ownership and management as one of the key solutions to its systemic challenges. Their remarkable campaign, alongside the inevitable league triumph of Remo Stars (who are poised to become the first privately owned club to win the NPFL since Julius Berger in 2000), reinforces the argument that financial independence and professional management are crucial for the league’s growth.
