Victor Osimhen emerged as the biggest individual winner at the 12th Nigeria Pitch Awards after securing two prestigious honours at the ceremony held in Lagos.
The Super Eagles striker was recognised for his outstanding contribution to Nigerian football during the 2025 season, taking home the Rashidi Yekini Award for Best Striker as well as the coveted King of the Pitch prize.
The ceremony also celebrated several other Nigerian stars, with Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi, defender Calvin Bassey and Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali all receiving major individual awards for their performances during the year.
Iwobi was named Midfielder of the Year, while Bassey claimed the Defender of the Year award.
Nwabali won the Goalkeeper of the Year category, beating competition from Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and Remo Stars’ Kayode Bankole.
Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade was honoured as the Queen of the Pitch, while Justine Madugu received the Coach of the Year award following his role in Nigeria’s successful campaign at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Super Falcons won the tournament to secure Nigeria’s 10th WAFCON title.
Remo Stars were also rewarded for their achievements, emerging as the Team of the Year.
Speaking during the event, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, Dr Shina Phillips, said the ceremony came at a crucial period for Nigerian football as efforts to reform the administration and governance of the sport continue.
Phillips praised President Bola Tinubu for supporting the reform process and called for greater accountability, transparency and professionalism in the management of Nigerian football.
He also urged the sports media to support efforts aimed at improving the administration of the game and creating better opportunities for players and other stakeholders.
According to Phillips, effective reforms should protect the interests of stakeholders, strengthen football administration and provide an environment capable of producing and nurturing future talents.
He commended the College of Voters, comprising mainly sports editors and managers, as well as the National Sports Commission, Nigeria Football Federation and SIAO Partners for their roles in maintaining the credibility of the awards.
Phillips also announced the introduction of an Emerging Star Award from the next edition. The new category will recognise the most promising Nigerian footballer under the age of 18 and encourage the development of young talents at the grassroots.
He disclosed that voting for the 2026 awards would commence in December, while the 13th edition, scheduled for 2027, would feature a symposium before the main ceremony.
In other categories, Remo Stars chairman Kunle Soname received the Sam Okwaraji Award and also picked up the Sportsmanship Award.
The Nigeria Police Force and Niger Delta Development Commission were presented with the Special Achievement in Sports Award.
Lagos State won the award for Best Grassroots Football Development Programme, while the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo was named Football Pitch of the Year.
Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno was recognised as Football Friendly Governor of the Year, while MTN Nigeria won the Corporate Sponsor of Football Award.
In the journalism categories, Charles Diya of New Telegraph won the Print Journalist award, Cecilia Omorogbe of Channels Television emerged winner in the television category, Anthony Bekederemo of Brila 88.9 FM won the radio category, while Samuel Ahmadu of Savid News/Nigeriafootball.ng won the online journalism award.
The Nigeria Pitch Awards is a football awards that recognises the impact and contributions of Nigerian footballers, administrators over a period of one football season.
