Nigeria’s finest football talents will take centre stage on December 22, 2025, as organisers of the Nigeria Pitch Awards officially unveiled nominees for the 12th edition of the prestigious ceremony.
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Top Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Super Falcons icon Asisat Oshoala lead a star-studded nominations list that cuts across players, coaches, teams, administrators and journalists, reflecting another year of outstanding performances in Nigerian football.
In the marquee King of the Pitch (Men) category, Osimhen, now with Galatasaray S.K., will battle Ademola Lookman of Atalanta BC and Fulham defender Calvin Bassey for the coveted honour.
The Queen of the Pitch (Women) category features goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie alongside Super Falcons attackers Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo, underlining the growing depth and quality in Nigeria’s women’s game.
Several competitive categories also highlight strong performances across positions. Goalkeeper of the Year nominees include Maduka Okoye, Stanley Nwabali and Kayode Bankole, while Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika are shortlisted for Midfielder of the Year.
The Defender of the Year race features Benjamin Fredrick, Calvin Bassey and Ola Aina, with Osimhen, Lookman and Yusuf Anas vying for Striker of the Year honours.
Coaching excellence is recognised with Daniel Ogunmodede, Finidi George and Justin Madugu nominated for Coach of the Year, while Remo Stars FC, Rivers United FC and the Super Falcons will contest the Team of the Year award.
The awards also acknowledge contributions beyond the pitch. Football Journalist of the Year (Online) nominees include Niyi Busari of BSN Sports, Samuel Ahmadu and Kunle Solaja of Sports Village Square. I
n infrastructure and governance categories, Godswill Akpabio Stadium and Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, are nominated for Football Pitch of the Year, while BetNaija features in the Corporate Sponsor of Football category.
The Football Friendly Governor award will be contested by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno.
Organisers further confirmed the reinstatement of the Rashidi Yekini Award, which will honour the highest goal scorer in the Nigeria Premier Football League, reviving one of the ceremony’s most symbolic recognitions.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ luncheon in Abuja, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, Shina Phillips, announced plans to expand the event with the introduction of an annual sports conference, to be held alongside the awards ceremony.
The luncheon, hosted at Johnwood Hotel, Abuja, was attended by football administrators, partners, members of the College of Voters, sports editors and media representatives.
Phillips said the conference would deepen the impact of the awards by creating a platform for dialogue, collaboration and investment within Nigeria’s sports ecosystem, featuring both local and international speakers.
Award winners will be selected by a College of Voters made up of over 100 sports editors and journalists from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with the voting process independently audited by SIAO Partners. Each voter is allowed two nominations per category, with votes weighted on a points system over a six-week voting window.
Reaffirming confidence in the process, Phillips described the Nigeria Pitch Awards as a project built on “courage, consistency and collaboration,” as the ceremony once again positions itself as a benchmark for integrity and excellence in Nigerian football.
