Nigeria star Victor Osimhen emerged as the biggest individual winner at the 12th Nigeria Pitch Awards, claiming two major honours at the ceremony held in Lagos.

The Galatasaray striker was crowned King of the Pitch and also won the Rashidi Yekini Award for Best Striker of the Year, capping a strong showing at the awards organised to recognise outstanding contributions to Nigerian football during the 2025 season.  

Osimhen defeated Atlético Madrid forward Ademola Lookman and Fulham defender Calvin Bassey to reclaim the King of the Pitch crown, while his Best Striker award came ahead of Lookman and Nasarawa United forward Anas Yusuf.  

The ceremony also produced major recognition for other Super Eagles and Super Falcons stars, with Alex Iwobi winning Midfielder of the Year, Calvin Bassey taking Defender of the Year and Stanley Nwabali emerging Goalkeeper of the Year.  

Super Falcons captain and PSG star Rasheedat Ajibade was named Queen of the Pitch, while Justine Madugu won Coach of the Year following his work with Nigeria’s senior women’s national team.  

Remo Stars were rewarded as Team of the Year, following their achievements during the award period.

Ahmadu Wins Fourth Online Journalist Award

In the journalism category, Samuel Ahmadu of Savid News/Nigeriafootball.ng emerged winner of the Football Journalist of the Year – Online award.

Ahmadu defeated Kunle Solaja and Niyi Busari to claim the prestigious honour, adding another major recognition to his journalism career.  

The award represents Ahmadu’s fourth Nigeria Pitch Awards triumph in the online journalism category, further underlining his sustained contribution to Nigerian football reporting.

The other journalism winners were Charles Diya of New Telegraph in the Print category, Cecilia Omorogbe of Channels Television in Television and Anthony Bekederemo of Brila 88.9 FM in Radio.  

Soname Takes Two Awards

Remo Stars chairman Kunle Soname also enjoyed a double celebration, receiving the Sam Okwaraji Award for commitment to Nigerian football and the Sportsmanship Award.

The Nigeria Police Force and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) received the Special Achievement in Sports Award.  

Lagos State won the award for State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme, while the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, 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.  

Philips Backs Football Reforms

Speaking at the ceremony, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, Dr Shina Philips, backed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing football reform initiative.

Philips called on football stakeholders and the media to support reforms designed to strengthen administration, improve professionalism, enhance transparency and protect the interests of stakeholders.

He also announced that the Nigeria Pitch Awards will introduce an Emerging Star Award from the next edition for a promising Nigerian footballer below the age of 18.

The new category is aimed at encouraging grassroots development and giving greater recognition to Nigeria’s emerging football talents.  

Philips further disclosed that voting for the 2026 edition will begin in December, while the 13th Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony in 2027 will be preceded by a symposium.

He reaffirmed the credibility of the awards’ voting process, noting that winners are determined by a College of Voters comprising sports editors and other media professionals.  

Full List of Nigeria Pitch Awards Winners

Goalkeeper of the Year: Stanley Nwabali – Chippa United

Defender of the Year: Calvin Bassey – Fulham

Midfielder of the Year: Alex Iwobi – Fulham

Rashidi Yekini Award – Best Striker: Victor Osimhen – Galatasaray

Team of the Year: Remo Stars FC

Coach of the Year: Justine Madugu – Super Falcons

Sam Okwaraji Award: Kunle Soname – Remo Stars

Special Achievement in Sports: Nigeria Police Force

Special Achievement in Sports: Niger Delta Development Commission

State with Best Grassroots Football Development Programme: Lagos State

Football Pitch of the Year: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo

Football-Friendly Governor of the Year: Umo Eno – Akwa Ibom State

Corporate Sponsor of Football: MTN Nigeria

Sportsmanship Award: Kunle Soname

Football Journalist of the Year – Print: Charles Diya – New Telegraph

Football Journalist of the Year – TV: Cecilia Omorogbe – Channels Television

Football Journalist of the Year – Radio: Anthony Bekederemo – Brila 88.9 FM

Football Journalist of the Year – Online: Samuel Ahmadu – Savid News/Nigeriafootball.ng

Queen of the Pitch: Rasheedat Ajibade – PSG Féminine

King of the Pitch: Victor Osimhen – Galatasaray

The 12th Nigeria Pitch Awards once again brought together leading figures across Nigerian football, celebrating players, coaches, administrators, institutions, journalists and other stakeholders whose contributions continue to shape the country’s football landscape.