Organizers of the annual Nigeria Pitch Awards are optimistic that the country’s national teams will bounce back despite a recent string of setbacks in international competitions.

Speaking in Abuja on Monday, Dr. Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, expressed confidence in the ability of the national team players and the leagues to turn the tide and set our football looking north again. 

“We have absolute confidence in our footballers who are doing well in various leagues across Europe, America, Africa, and other parts of the world,” Philips said.

As a further demonstration of his confidence in Nigerian football, Philips announced that the 12^thedition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards Ceremony, which had been scheduled for earlier in the year, would now hold on Tuesday, 8^th September 2026, at the Ibis Hotel, Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos.

“Hosting the 12^th Awards Ceremony at this time is a demonstration of our faith in Nigerian football. Since 2013, when we held our maiden edition in Calabar, we have shown Nigerians that our players deserve commendations and encouragement for their selfless, patriotic contributions to the growth of our football,” Philips noted. 

On behalf of the organizers, Philips regrets the delay in hosting the 12^th edition of the awards, stating that although the trophies and other logistics were already in place, certain factors necessitated postponing the ceremony beyond the expected date. 

“All necessary logistics, including the award statuettes, have been in place, but the awards itself could not be held as earlier scheduled,” Philips noted.

The 12^th Awards Ceremony will feature awards in 18 categories. In the King of the Pitch category, Atlético de Madrid striker Ademola Lookman, the 2024-winner of the award, will face competition from Fulham defender Calvin Bassey and Galatasaray S.K. goal poacher Victor Osimhen. 

Ademola Lookman (Atlético de Madrid) and Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray S.K) will face competition from Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United) for the Rashidi Yekini Award for the Best Striker of the Year. 

The Queen of the Pitch Award will be a stiff battle between Chiamaka Nnadozie of Brighton & Hove Albion Women FC, Esther Okoronkwo of AFC Toronto, and Rasheedat Ajibade of PSG Feminine.

The award for the Football Friendly Governor of the Year will be a contest among Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State.

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR 

Kayode Bankole                      Gold Geita F.C.

Maduka Okoye                       Udinese Calcio

Stanley Nwabali                      Chippa United F.C.

DEFENDER OF THE YEAR 

Benjamin Frederick                 Brentford F.C. 

Calvin Bassey                         Fulham F.C. 

Ola Aina                                 Nottingham Forest F.C. 

MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR 

Alex Iwobi                             Fulham F.C. 

Frank Onyeka                         Coventry FC

Raphael Onyedika                     Eintracht Frankfurt                          

Wilfred Ndidi                          Beşiktaş J.K.

RASHIDI YEKINI AWARD FOR THE BEST STRIKER OF THE YEAR 

Ademola Lookman                  Atlético de Madrid 

Anas Yusuf                             Wolaita Dicha F.C. 

Victor Osimhen                       Galatasaray S.K

TEAM OF THE YEAR 

Remo Stars F.C

Rivers United F.C

Super Falcons

COACH OF THE YEAR 

Daniel Ogunmodede                Kano Pillars F.C

Finidi George                          Rivers United F.C

Justin Madugu                        Super Falcons 

SAM OKWARAJI AWARD 

Kunle Soname                         Bet9ja

Patrick Olusegun Odegbami      Nigerian Ex-International

Victor Osimhen                       Galatasaray S.K

STATE WITH THE BEST GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 

Delta State

Kwara State

Lagos State

FOOTBALL PITCH OF THE YEAR 

Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium          Uyo, Akwa Ibom State 

MKO Abiola Sports Arena                  Abeokuta, Ogun State 

Remo Stars Stadium                         Remo, Ogun State

FOOTBALL FRIENDLY GOVERNOR OF THEYEAR 

His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu  Lagos State 

His Excellency, Dapo Abiodun           Ogun State 

His Excellency, Umo Eno                  Akwa Ibom State

CORPORATE SPONSOR OF FOOTBALL AWARD 

Bet9ja                                    Sport Betting 

GTI Financial                          Financial Services 

MTN Nigeria                          Telecom 

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD 

Bukola Olopade                      D.G, NSC

George Aluo                           Chairman, NNL

Hon. Kunle Soname                 Chairman, Remo Stars FC 

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – PRINT 

Abiodun Adewale                    Punch Newspapers

Johnny Edward                       The Nation Newspapers 

Charles Diya                           New Telegraph Newspapers 

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – TV 

Babatunde Koiki                     News Central Television 

Cecilia Omorogbe                   Channels TV 

Mozez Praiz                            Supersport

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – RADIO

Olawale Adigun                      Wash 94.9 FM/ Sure 97.5 FM

Anthony Bekederemo              Brila 88.9 FM 

Chuma Nnoli                          Nigeria Info FM 

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – ONLINE 

Kunle Solaja                           Sportsvillagesquare.com

Niyi Busari                             BSNSports.com.ng

Samuel Ahmadu                      Savid News/ Nigeriafootball.ng

QUEEN OF THE PITCH 

Chiamaka Nnadozie                 Brighton & Hove Albion Women

Esther Okoronkwo                   AFC Toronto

Rasheedat Ajibade                   PSG Feminine 

KING OF THE PITCH 

Ademola Lookman                  Atlético de Madrid 

Calvin Bassey                         Fulham F.C. 

Victor Osimhen                       Galatasaray S.K.