Cricket · League
Nigeria Super League
Nigeria’s first professional franchise cricket league, launched in 2026, and the federation that runs the game from grassroots to the national teams.
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Checked 29 September 2026
The first season, May 2026
In May 2026 the Nigeria Cricket Federation launched the Nigeria Super League (NSL), the first time the country’s best cricketers played in a professionally run franchise competition. Six franchises met in a round-robin stage at the TBS Cricket Oval in Lagos, followed by knockout matches and a grand final.
| Stage | Result |
|---|---|
| Final | Middle-Belt Tigers 104/5 beat Southern Sharks 98/7 by 6 runs (10 overs a side) |
| Third place | Northern Lions |
| Other franchises | Central Eagles and two more teams |
| Venue | Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Cricket Oval, Lagos |
| Final stars | David Ankrah 22 off 10 balls (three sixes); Elochukwu Ndubudem 2 for 14; Odion Isesele 26 off 21 for the Sharks |
Middle-Belt Tigers became the first champions after a final that went to the last over.
Cricket at home
Below the Super League, cricket is played in schools, universities, clubs and the armed forces, and the federation runs national championships for men, women and juniors. Grassroots programmes in schools feed the youth teams that have reached two World Cups.
From our archive
The Nigeria Cricket Federation
The Nigeria Cricket Federation, known as the Nigeria Cricket Association (NCA) from 1957, when the expatriate and indigenous associations merged, until it was renamed in 2006, is the national federation body that fervently governs and administrates the Nigerian National Cricket team.
The ruling body of Nigerian cricket was constituted in the early 1930s and is fully committed to the management and development of cricket sports in Nigeria and the world at large.
The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) is an affiliate and associate member of the Africa Cricket Association (ACA) and North-West Africa Cricket Association (NWCA) and still represents Nigeria in the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 2002 when it became an associate member.
Since the NCF’s existence, the association has been offering and providing management and sponsorship for local, national, and international championships, including the World Cup tournament, ICC Trophy, ICC World Cricket League global, and ICC World Cricket League African Region.
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Keep reading
Cricket in Nigeria
The Yellow Greens, the federation and the game.Read more
History of cricket in Nigeria
From the first match in 1904 to today, with a timeline.Read more
Nigeria national cricket teams
Men, women and the U19 World Cup teams.Read more
Nigerian cricketers
Captains, record-breakers and rising stars.Read more
Sylvester Okpe
Captain of the Yellow Greens.Read more
Peter Aho
The bowler who took 6 for 5.Read more
Contact Nigerian cricket
The Nigeria Cricket Federation.Read more
Quick answers
Nigeria Super League: quick answers
What is the Nigeria Super League?
A professional franchise T20 league created by the Nigeria Cricket Federation. The first season ran in Lagos in May 2026, with six franchises playing a round-robin stage followed by knockouts and a final.
Who won the first Nigeria Super League?
Middle-Belt Tigers, who beat Southern Sharks by 6 runs in the final at the TBS Cricket Oval, Lagos (104 for 5 to 98 for 7 in a 10-over final). Northern Lions finished third.
Why was the league created?
NCF president Uyi Akpata said the league is “a platform built to inspire the next generation, sharpen elite talent, and position Nigerian cricket for greater international success”.