Shifting the goalposts
Teenage girls in Nigeria's Islamic heartland are reshaping societal perceptions through soccer
The Nigeria Women's Football League (NWFL) is among Africa's strongest, led by southern clubs from cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt, where infrastructure and societal support are robust.
In contrast, northern and central regions face cultural and religious barriers, though grassroots efforts are expanding.
Nationwide, the sport's popularity is rising, driven by the success of the national women's team, the Super Falcons, as well as increased sponsorships and grassroots programs.
NWFL viewership has grown by 40 percent since 2020, with match attendance up 35 percent in 2024, according to Nigerian media company iTelemedia, which tracks audience trends across local leagues.
As the sun dipped, Muhammed and her teammates jogged across a sandy pitch at the local school during one of their training sessions, their voices rising above the call to prayer being issued by a nearby mosque.
