President Tinubu’s aide, Adeboye pours encomium on NPFL, NNL, others over the changing face of domestic leagues
Photo: Prince Adeboye (left) with NNL Chairman George Aluo at the NNL awards in Abuja on Wednesday
The Nigeria National League (NNL), in collaboration with PROSTAR and Sportlight Hub, hosted the April and May 2025 editions of its Monthly Awards at Viewpoint Hotel, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja.
The event brought together Nigeria’s top football and government dignitaries in celebration of excellence, integrity, and professionalism in the country’s second-tier football league.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Prince Adeyinka Adeboye, was honoured with a Special Recognition Award and medal at the event for his contributions to grassroots football.
He also presented the Highest Goal Scorer Award for May 2025 to Yakubu Wonderson of Wikki Tourists FC.
Among the high-profile guests at the ceremony were:
- Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON) – President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)
- Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye – NFF 2nd Vice President and Chairman, NPFL
- Chief George Aluo – Chairman, NNL
- Mr. Emmanuel Attah – CEO, NNL
- Danlami Alanana – COO, NNL
- Dr. Ademola Olajire – NFF Director of Media & Communications
- Ambassador Fanny Amun (MON) – Former NFF General Secretary
- Hon. Abba Mouktar Mohammed – Chairman, FCT FA
- Mallam Salihu Abubakar – Representative of the NSC Chairman
- Edidowei Oweife – Representative of the NSC Director-General
- Hon. Sani Zubairu – President, NRA
- Madam Faith Irabor – Chairperson, NFF Referees Committee
- Representatives of:
- Chief Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications
- Bukola Olopade, Director General, National Sports Commission
Award Winners for April 2025:
- Highest Goal Scorer – Gukut M. Chindi (Edel FC)
- Best Goalkeeper – Efevwerha Joke (Warri Wolves FC)
- Best Coach – Napoleon Ahuma (Warri Wolves FC)
- Best Behaved Team – Sokoto United FC
- Most Valuable Player – Valentine Ugwu (Solution FC)
- Goal of the Month – Shamasu Mohammed (Barau FC)
- Best Referee – Abubakar Zubairu (Katsina State Referees Council)
Award Winners for May 2025:
- Highest Goal Scorer – Yakubu Wonderson (Wikki Tourists FC)
- Best Goalkeeper – Bala Favour (Inter Lagos FC)
- Best Coach – Shakiru Favour Giwa (Inter Lagos FC)
- Best Behaved Team – Sokoto United FC
- Most Valuable Player – Gabriel Olalekan (Osun United FC)
- Goal of the Month – Aniete Ukoh (Dakkada FC)
- Best Referee – Daniel Amadu (Kaduna State Referees Council)
Speaking at the event, Prince Adeboye described the current 2024/25 football season as “the best thing to happen to Nigerian football in years,” citing a rise in away victories, declining ‘win-at-all-cost’ culture, and improved transparency and discipline across board.
He commended the leadership of NPFL Chairman Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, NNL Chairman Chief George Aluo, and NLO COO Olushola Ogunnowo for their integrity and reforms.
“As founder of Smart FC Lagos, even though we didn’t qualify for the playoffs, I can say every team that did deserves it,” said Adeboye. “We must unite to support the system and not individual interests.”
The event also signaled federal endorsement for stronger public-private collaboration in Nigerian football, with growing expectations for corporate sponsorship and institutional stability in the near future.
The NLO One Playoffs are currently ongoing across the country, and eight clubs have qualified for the NNL Super 8 Playoffs, further cementing this season as a watershed moment for grassroots and semi-professional football development in Nigeria.
