Gone are the days when teenagers were routinely overlooked in top-flight football. The league has increasingly provided room for young talents to compete, and the impact of the Youngest players in the NPFL this season has been clear.
During the 2024/2025 campaign and the ongoing 2025/2026 season, several teenagers have featured regularly for top-tier clubs, many of them stepping straight out of local academies into first-team football.
Just as Lamine Yamal has impressed in La Liga and Kobi Mainno has delivered notable performances for Manchester United, the NPFL has also recorded strong outings from teenagers who continue to grow into key roles for their clubs. The influence of the Youngest players in the NPFL has become more evident with each passing matchday.
The league remains a recognised pathway to Europe. Recently, Leonard Ngenge, an 18-year-old Remo Stars player, secured a move to English Premier League side Leeds United, further reflecting the league’s development.
Below is a profile of some of the Youngest players in the NPFL currently making an impact in the Nigerian top flight.
Promoted to the senior squad in January 2025, the 16-year-old striker made an immediate impact, making his debut against Bayelsa United after scoring 10 goals in 9 games for the Sunshine Stars U19 team.
Adamu Usaini made his NPFL debut for Barau FC this season after joining from Arewa FC, Kano State. He is recognized as a key young forward for the Maliya Boys.
The Profile: Bada is the youngest debutant of the January 2026 window. A raw, powerful striker, he was drafted into the senior squad to solve Sunshine Stars’ goal-scoring drought. His physicality against veteran defenders has already earned him comparisons to a young Victor Osimhen.
Malik made history earlier this season by becoming one of the youngest players to start a league match on the opening day (August 24, 2025). He is a product of the Bayelsa United youth system and is known for his blistering pace and “fearless” dribbling. He currently personifies Bayelsa’s status as the club with the youngest average starting XI in the league ($22.3$ years).
The Profile: Representing the “Oga Boys” of Ikorodu, Alao has been a central figure in their impressive first-tier debut. Ikorodu City has built a reputation for scouting NNL talent, and Alao’s transition from the youth ranks to the senior team has been seamless. He is often used as a “super-sub” to exploit tired defences in the final 20 minutes.
Carrying the nickname “Yamal Beere” (after Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal), Ayodele has become a cult hero in Ibadan. After a stellar performance in pre-season tournaments, he has become a regular in the 3SC attack. His technical ability and composure on the ball are considered far beyond his years.
Playing for the league debutants, Kun Khalifat, Anuba is a tireless “engine room” player. In a team known for its defensive solidity and tactical discipline, Anuba’s ability to win second balls and initiate counter-attacks has made him an undroppable asset for Coach Uzoho Obina.
Made history as the youngest player to score a hat trick and subsequently 5 goals in a single match during the 2023/24 season. He continues to attract attention from foreign clubs.
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