The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) has officially approved the renaming of the Honey Badgers of Makurdi to Benue Queens following the successful acquisition of the club by the Benue State Government.
This approval was confirmed in a letter signed by NWFL Chief Operating Officer Modupe Shabi, who stated that the Benue State Government had met all necessary requirements for the takeover and name change through a rigorous verification process.
🚨 Honey Badgers are now Benue Queens! 🚨
The Benue State Government’s takeover is official, with @TheNWFL‘s green light! Ready to battle in the Premiership.
Benue Queens debut vs. Robo Queens on Jan 15, 2025. 🏆⚽
Let’s go, Queens! 👑 #BenueQueens #NWFL25 pic.twitter.com/co72fG9unx
— Dorcas Koki😘Sports Diva (@Dorcas_Koki) January 10, 2025
Transition to Benue Queens
Effective immediately, Benue Queens will inherit all fixtures, points, and standings previously associated with Honey Badgers in the NWFL Premiership.
Shabi praised the Benue State Government’s efforts, stating:
“After submitting to the very rigorous process put in place to ensure that only serious, business-minded individuals and corporate groups are admitted to club ownership, the NWFL is satisfied that the Benue State Government has substantially met all requirements and has been granted approval to take over Honey Badgers.”
She also expressed optimism about the transition’s impact on Nigerian women’s football, emphasizing the Benue State Government’s commitment to running the club in line with NWFL regulations designed to maintain league integrity and protect stakeholders’ interests.
A Milestone for Benue Queens
The transition comes at a historic moment for the Makurdi-based club, which recently secured promotion to the NWFL Premiership for the first time.
Honey badgers logo before take over.
This promotion marks their ascent from lower divisions to Nigeria’s elite tier of women’s football.
The Queens logo
Benue Queens will now compete in Group B against seasoned rivals such as Naija Ratels, Ibom Angels, Adamawa Queens, Delta Queens, Bayelsa Queens, and Rivers Angels.
Season Opener Against Robo Queens
The newly branded Benue Queens will make their NWFL Premiership debut on January 15, 2025, with a high-stakes match against the formidable Robo Queens in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
This opening clash will set the stage for their campaign in Nigeria’s top-flight women’s football league.
The renaming and takeover signal a new chapter for the team, with hopes high for their performance under the management of the Benue State Government.
