The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) boasts a rich history, with several clubs established decades ago that have significantly contributed to Nigerian football. 

Since the first football club in the country, Lagos Marine, was founded in 1894, a lot of other clubs have followed suit, many of which are no longer in existence.

However, some clubs have stood the test of time and continue to uphold the pedigree of the past even as competition in the modern era becomes as intense as can be.

Here are ten of the oldest clubs in the Nigerian Premier League in the ongoing 2024/25 season.

10 Oldest Clubs in NPFL 2025

10. Kano Pillars, 1990

Kano Pillars was founded in 1990 by Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, who was a former chairman of the Nigeria Football Association and was at the time serving as the sports commissioner of Kano state.

It was ahead of the start of the professional association football league in Nigeria, and there was not much representation for the North-Western region, thus making it one of the oldest in the country.

It is also one of the most popular, given that the state is the most populous in Nigeria. The fame can also be credited to their success, with four league titles all coming between 2008 and 2014.

9. El Kanemi Warriors, 1986

As has been the hallmark of the club since its foundation in 1986, El Kanemi Warriors has struggled for stability and, at some point, had to move from their base in Maiduguri due to Boko Haram insurgency.

Although they have never won the league title, the Desert Warriors boast three Federation Cup titles, including one in 2024, after which they returned to the top flight at the end of the season.

8. Lobi Stars FC, 1981 

Their founding name is Hawks of Makurdi in 1981, Lobi Stars plays under Benue state, and has been moved from different owners since then, with the names changing every time, before it finally got its current name.

They won their only League title in 1999, benefiting from the first edition of a Super League, where the top four of the regular season competed in the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

7. Niger Tornadoes, 1977

Niger Tornadoes has been around for a while. Founded in 1977, they've endured severe crises and may not be completely stable to date.

They've been relegated on multiple occasions and have never won the league title, although they did win the Nigerian FA Cup by beating Enugu Rangers in the final of the 2000 edition.

6. Heartland FC Owerri, 1976

From Spartans FC to Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Heartland of Owerri is one of the oldest clubs in Nigeria, following its foundation in 1976, the same year Imo state was created out of the East Central state.

In 2006, the club was acquired from Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu by the government of Imo State, and it was renamed Heartland.

5. Enyimba International FC Aba, 1976

The biggest and most reputable club in Nigeria, Enyimba International of Aba, was founded as a state-owned (Imo, newly founded) club by the Sports Director Jerry Amadi Enyeazu in November 1976.

When the city was further divided in 1991, Enyimba played under Abia State, as the town of Aba falls under the state, moving from Imo State.

The People's Elephant has enjoyed impeccable success, all of which has come since the start of the century, including winning two CAF Champions League titles and nine Nigerian League titles.

4. Plateau United of Jos, 1975

Plateau United is also high on the list of the oldest clubs in Nigerian football, thanks to their early foundation as JIB Strikers FC in 1975.

They won their first title in 1999 with the Nigerian FA Cup and were eventually crowned winners of the league in 2017. In addition, Plateau United was also top of the inconclusive edition in 2020/21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

3. Bendel Insurance, 1972

The name Samuel Ogbemudia will forever ring a bell in the hearts of the people of Benin as long as their darling team, Bendel Insurance, exists, as it was the doctor who founded it in 1972.

They had their successful years in the last century but have suffered a series of misfortunes since the end of it, including their first-ever relegation in 2008.

They struggled financially but were soon taken over by the state government, reverting to Bendel Insurance from Insurance. After their eventual promotion in 2022, they won the Nigerian Federation Cup in 2023.

2. Enugu Rangers, 1970

One of the most historic clubs in the country, Enugu Rangers, hit the ground running following its creation in 1970, winning the league title back-to-back in 1974 and 1975.

Although it has endured a tough period, Rangers remains one of the most successful clubs in Nigeria, and maintains relevance even in the modern era, winning the most recent league title in 2024.

1. Shooting Stars, 1950

Shooting Stars of Ibadan, otherwise known as 3SC or Oluyole Warriors, is the oldest of all the clubs in Nigeria's top flight as of 2025.

Founded in 1950, it was one of the founding clubs of the Nigerian Premier League in 1972 and has been fortunate enough to win the title on five different occasions, all coming in the previous century. All their other 12 titles have also come in that time.

Founded as WNDC Ibadan, which means Western Nigeria Development Corporation, the club has struggled to live up to their rich history since the start of the current century, but they continue to compete season in and out following their return to the topflight after a short time in the second division recently.