L-R: NFF Interim Deputy General Secretary Ademola Olajire, Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatai Tijani rep. IGP receives Special Achievement In Sports Award From Dr. shina Philips At 12th Nigeria Pitch Awards In Lagos
By Tayo Ogunseye
Super Eagles and Galatasaray of Turkey striker Victor Osimhen has been crowned again as the’ King of the Pitch’ as Super Falcons Captain Rasheedat Ajibade earned the ‘Queen of the Pitch’ Award at the elaborate event on Tuesday in Lagos.
The award was for the football year of 2025.
The gangling forward received the highest vote ahead of his two Super Eagles teammates: Atletico Madrid of Spain winger Ademola Lookman and Calvin Bassey of Fulham FC.
Osimhen also earned the ‘Rashidi Yekini Award’ for the Best Striker as a Nigerian.
Bassey would earn the ‘Defender of the Year’ accolade as teammate at both club and country, Alex Iwobi was presented with the ‘Midfielder of the Year.’
Stanley Nwabali of Chippa United FC of South Africa got the Goalkeeper of the year.
For the Coach of the year former Super Falcons coach Justine Madugu got the nod as the best tactician in 2025 while Rasheedat Ajibade earned the ‘Queen of the Pitch’ award.
In other categories, Remo Stars FC emerged as the ‘Team of the Year’ for winning the Nigeria Premier Football League title as Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State was voted as the ‘Football Friendly Governor’ while the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium was adjudge as the stadium with the best ‘Football Pitch’.
Sport financier Kunle Soname was awarded with the ‘Sam Okwaraji Award and the ‘Sportsmanship’ accolade.
Lagos State picked the ‘State With the Best Grassroots’ award.
Mobile Telephone Network (MTN) earned the ‘ Best Corporate Sponsor of Football’.
In the media category, Charles Diya of New Telegraph newspaper got the ‘Football Journalist of the Year (print) while Brila FM’s Anthony Bekederemo picked the radio version.
Cecelia Omoregbe of Channels TV was voted as the “Football Journalist (TV) while Samuel Ahmedu of Savid News received the award for football journalist (online).
Olatunji Disu, the Inspector General of Police was decorated with a ‘ Special Achievement In Sports Award at the event where he was represented by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatai Tijani.
Nigeria Football Federation Interim Deputy General Secretary Ademola Olajire appreciated the organisers of the award for their steadfastness at rewarding excellence through the annual event which has been recognised for its credibility and consistency over the years.
In his speech, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards Shina Philips commended President Bola Tinubu for taking a bold step at reforming football in the country.
“The ongoing reforms within the relevant regulatory institutions present both opportunities and responsibilities. Reform by it’s very nature, demands courage, transparency, accountability, and a willingness to embrace, better ways of doing things.” He continued, “In this light, we commended the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for this bold step. We would like to restate our earlier call to all stakeholders including and especially the powerful Fourth Estate of the Realms the media to support this presidential initiative and reforms.
We welcome reforms that seek to strengthen football administration, improve professionalism, enhance transparency, protect stakeholders’ interests, and create an environment in which talents can flourish.”
He also expressed his gratitude to the National Sports Commission and SIAO Partners.p
While highlighting the significance of the award on encouraging players, coaches, brands, sponsors, supporters, administrators and contributors in the football ecosystem Philips stated that the transparent process involved in the selection of nominees and eventual winners through the College of Voters has bestowed a significant credibility on the award.
He commended the media which has helped in telling stories about football for being part of the voting process.
He further announced that the voting process for the 2026 edition would begin this December as a new award named ‘Emerging Talent’ would be dedicated to talents under 18 years of age as a way of boosting competition at the grassroots.
