The Nigeria Professional League (NPFL) is the league that pays Africa's third highest winners fee.

It has produced great players that have gone on to shine in Europe and other world leagues.

Despite the plethora of talent that abounds n the country, the NPFL is still to reach its full potential. One thing that has continued to dog the league is the non-structure of its calendar.

The NPFL has several deficiencies. The coordination of the NPFL transfer Business is less than professional. The clubs have struggled to conduct their affairs professionally. A few clubs have tried to maintain a semblance of professionalism.

Clubs like Enyimba, Remo Stars, newly promoted Sporting Lagos and Rivers United are some clubs that have been active in the market.

Yet, for all the efforts put into making the league a sponsors' delight, affairs regarding transfers in the NPFL have been anything but professional. A lot has been shrouded in secrecy, with details of the deals a mystery.

Below are some concluded deals ahead of the 2023/24 season.

NPFL 2023/24 transfers

Rivers United

Rivers Utd has signed several players and let others go in preparation for their continental campaign. After a strong finish in the regular season, they fell short in the NPFL Super Six Playoffs, where they finished third.

IN

• Deputy Echeta (forward) – Bendel Insurance
• John Uche Akubueze (defender) – Enugu Rangers
• Ebedebiri Endurance (defender) – Bayelsa Utd
• Yao Kouassi Bernard (Forward) – TS Galaxy
• Fatai Abdullahi (Midfielder) – Enyimba
• Adeleke Adekunle David (Defender) – Enyimba
• Asiegbu Shedrack (Midfielder) – Enugu Rangers
• Samuel Antwi (Right Winger) – King Faisal (Ghana)

OUT

• Morice Chukwu (Forward) – Singida Fountain Gate FC
• Darlington Ovunda (Goalkeeper) – Shooting Stars
• Malachi Ohawume (Forward) – Enugu Rangers
• Fabian Nworie Maduabuchi (Defender) – Remo Stars FC
• Muyiwa Adeola Fehintola (Right-Back) – Coton Sport FC (Benin)
• Osagie Onisodumeya (Goalkeeper) – Bayelsa United
• Paul Odeh (Left Winger) – Wikki Tourists
• Augustine Okejepha (Midfielder) – Kano Pillars

Enyimba

Enyimba of Aba are the league champions and will contest in the CAF Champions League. They have not signed many players, but have let several of their playing staff leave. The transfer window is over, and they can still get a few deals over the line for the NPFL season and the CAF Champions League.

IN

• Anthony Okachi (Forward) – Shooting Stars
• Ogbu Ogechukwu (Midfielder) – Sunshine Stars

OUT

• John Noble (Goalkeeper) – Tabora United (Tanzania)
• Emeka Obioma
• Philip Ozor
• Chigozie Obasi
• Adekunle Adeleke David (midfielder) – Rivers United
• Fatai Abdullahi (Defender) – Rivers United
• Samuel Kalu
• Sadiq Abubakar
• Moses Omoduemuke
• Ademola Adebambo
• Othuke Egbo

Enugu Rangers

IN

• Kalu Nweke (Midfielder) – Abia Warriors
• Malachi Ohawume (Forward) – Rivers United

OUT

• John Uche Akubueze (Defender) – Rivers United
• Asiegbu Shedrack (Midfielder) – Enugu Rangers

Akwa United

OUT

Taiye Murtala (Right-Back) – Shooting Stars

Heartland

OUT

Jonathan Alukwu (Left Winger) – Sporting Lagos

Sporting Lagos

IN

• Ekene Nero Olisema (Forward) – Warri Wolves
• Jonathan Alukwu (Left Winger) – Heartland FC
• Junior Lokosa (Forward) – Remo Stars
• Godwin Odibo (Right Winger) – Remo Stars
• Chisom Ngomere (Midfield) – Sunshine Stars

OUT

• Abiodun Odunayo Taiwo
• Akanni Akeem
• Daniel Onah
• Daniel Simon
• Godswill Taro
• Oluwayemi Afere
• Raji Usman
• Temidayo Okanlawon
• Ugochukwu Okafor
• Wisdom Samuel
• Kalu Chukwuemeka

Remo Stars

Remo Stars are also on the continent. The Ikenne-based side finished second in the NPFL Super Six to grab a Champions League ticket. They have also been active in the transfer window.

IN

• Jide Fatokun (Midfield) – Kwara United
• Victor Collins (Defender) – Nasarawa United
• Habib Yakub (Right-Back) – Sunshine Stars
• Samad Kadiri (Forward) – Kwara United
• Dela Akorli (Forward) – Kotoku Royals
• Alimi Sikiru (Forward) – Shooting Stars
• Fabian Nworie Maduabuchi (Defender) – Rivers United
• Nnaemeka Achi (Midfield) – Sunshine Stars
• Imo Ikemdinachi – Left-Back – Sunshine Stars
• Yinusa Sheriff (Defender) – Bayelsa Utd
• Raymond Tochukwu (Midfield) – Plateau United
• Isaac James Ogiri (Midfield) – Nasarawa United
• Abraham Marcus (Left Winger) – FC Porto B

OUT

• Junior Lokosa (Forward) – Sporting Lagos
• Godwin Odibo (Right Winger) – Sporting Lagos
• Morufdeen Moshood (Forward) – Leixões (Portugal)
• Monsuru Bashiru (Defender)
• Edidiong Ezekiel Enobong (Forward)
• Awoyemi Abiodun (Right-Back)

Sunshine Stars

OUT

• Habib Yakub (Right-Back) – Remo Stars
• Nnaemeka Achi (Midfield) – Remo Stars
• Imo Ikemdinachi (Left-Back) – Remo Stars
• Chisom Ngomere (Midfield) – Sporting Lagos
• Aaron Wande (Midfield) – FC Cilicia (Armenia)
• Ogbu Ogechukwu (Midfield) – Enyimba

Shooting Stars

IN

• Darlington Ovunda (Goalkeeper) – Rivers United
• Daddy Abdulrahman (Midfield) – El-Kanemi Warriors
• Taiye Murtala (Right-Back) – Akwa United
• Olamide Benjamin Ogunbajo (Midfield) – Al-Hilal
• Emeka Obiora (Defender) – Lobi Stars
• Anozie Chinedu (goalkeeper) – Plateau United
• Michael Enaruma (Defender)
• Abdulkareem Mumuni (Forward)
• Oke Solomon (Forward) – Crown FC

OUT

• Ezekiel Tamara (Midfield) – Bendel Insurance
• Kester Oahimijie (Midfield) – Bendel Insurance
• Alimi Sikiru (Forward) – Remo Stars
• Dabani Godwin Alao (Forward) – Karamone FC

Kwara Utd

IN

• Oluwatosin Bamidele (Right-Winger) – Rahbam FC
• Isaiah Ejeh (Defender) – Mjällby AIF

OUT

• Jide Fatokun (Midfield) – Remo Stars
• Samad Kadiri (Forward )- Remo Stars
• Sani Faisal (Left-Back) – Al-Wahda SC

Abia Warriors

OUT

Kalu Nweke (Midfield) – Enugu Rangers

Bendel Insurance

The Benin Arsenal were successful in getting a continental ticket. They were the surprise package of the NPFL 2022/23 season. Their Federation Cup victory over Enugu Rangers helped them to the CAF Confederation Cup ticket. They have had to fortify their squad ahead of the challenge.

IN

• Ezekiel Tamara (Midfield) – Shooting Stars
• Kester Oahimijie (Midfield) – Shooting Stars
• David Obiazo (Goalkeeper) – El-Kanemi Warriors
• Paul Obata (Left-Winger) – Gombe United

OUT

Echeta Ugonna Deputy (Left-Winger) – Rivers United

Bayelsa United

IN

• Osagie Onisodumeya (Goalkeeper) – Rivers Utd
• Yinusa Sheriff (Centre-Back) – Remo Stars

Gombe United

OUT

Paul Obata (Left-Winger) – Bendel Insurance

Kano Pillars

Newly promoted Kano Pillars will look to maintain their position in the NPFL this season and have recruited in critical areas.

IN

• Ibrahim Mustapha Yuga (Forward) – Plateau United
• Abubakar Ibrahim Babawo (Right-Back)
• Abubakar Aliyu (Forward) – Wikki Tourists

Katsina Utd

IN

Pius Ibrahim (goalkeeper) – Plateau United

Lobi Stars

OUT

Emeka Obiora (Defender) – Shooting Stars

Plateau United

OUT

• Ibrahim Abubakar (Right-Back) – Kano Pillars
• Ibrahim Mustapha Yuga (Forward) – Kano Pillars
• Raymond Tochukwu (Midfield) – Remo Stars
• Anozie Chinedu (Goalkeeper) – Shooting Stars