| Founded | 2001 |
|---|---|
| Country | Nigeria |
| Confederation | CAF |
| Number of teams | 91 (80 on 2017) |
| Level on pyramid | 3 |
| Promotion to | Nigeria National League |
| Relegation to | Nigeria Amateur League Division Two |
| Domestic cup(s) | Nigerian FA Cup |
| Website | nigerianationwideleague |
National Nationwide League Division One (formerly known as Nigerian Amateur League) is the third level of club football in Nigeria. Every year, up to eight teams are promoted to the Professional Division One.
Starting in 2012, the league changed its name from the Amateur League and will promote three teams per division instead of two. This was after a long delay in confirming promotions from the prior year due to teams' protests.[1][2]
As the "largest grassroots league in the world", promotion and relegation are not guaranteed. Most of the teams are sponsored by private citizens or Local Govt. Areas and funding at this level is minimal. Any team eligible to move to the National Division 1 must qualify for a Professional League license and commit to the increased spending. After the 2007/08 season Dankalat FC of Kano won promotion, but instead sold their slot in Division 1A to Calabar Rovers. (Dankalat would eventually sell their slot in the 2012 Professional League to Nembe City FC). For the 2013 season, FC Ebedei and Makwada remained in the Nationwide league and sold their promotion slots after winning their divisions. Bolowotan, who also won promotion, sold their slot after 9 games in the professional level.
After the 2016 season, the league doubled in size to 80 teams. Teams will play in five-team divisions, with the winner of each division playing the corresponding Group for the one promotion slot.
The 2019/20 season was cancelled and affected by the COVID-19 that forced all activities to a stop. Hence, no promotion or relegation of teams.