Joel Ajayi
Organisers of the prestigious Nigeria Pitch Awards have unveiled the nominees for the 2025 edition, with Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen, Calvin Bassey and Ademola Lookman emerging as leading contenders across major categories.
Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, Fulham defender Calvin Bassey and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman headline the shortlist for the coveted King of the Pitch (Men) award. Osimhen is in contention for the honour for the third consecutive year and the fourth time overall, having previously won in 2022 and retained the title in the last two editions.
Lookman is eyeing a second triumph after claiming the award in 2023, while Bassey is seeking his maiden win following an outstanding year at both club and international level.
In the women’s category, Queen of the Pitch, Super Falcons stars Chiamaka Nnadozie, Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo have been nominated in recognition of their impressive performances for club and country over the past year.
The nominees were officially unveiled on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ luncheon held at the Johnwood Hotel, Abuja. The well-attended event drew football administrators, partners, sports editors, members of the College of Voters and media representatives.
Elsewhere, Udinese shot-stopper Maduka Okoye has been shortlisted for Goalkeeper of the Year, alongside Chippa United’s Stanley Nwabali and Remo Stars’ Kayode Bankole.
The Midfielder of the Year category features Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika, while Benjamin Fredrick, Calvin Bassey and Ola Aina will battle for Defender of the Year honours. For Striker of the Year, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Yusuf Anas are the nominees.
In the coaching category, Daniel Ogunmodede (Remo Stars), Finidi George (Rivers United) and WAFCON 2024-winning coach Justin Madugu are nominated for Coach of the Year. Team of the Year contenders include Remo Stars FC, Rivers United FC and the Super Falcons.
Other categories see Godswill Akpabio Stadium and Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta nominated for Football Pitch of the Year, while BetNaija features in the Corporate Sponsor of Football Award category. Governors Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State are shortlisted for Football Friendly Governor.
The organisers also confirmed the return of the Rashidi Yekini Award, which recognises the highest goal scorer in the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Ahead of the 12th edition of the awards, organisers Lenders Consult International announced plans to introduce an annual sports conference to run alongside the ceremony. Nigeria Pitch Awards President, Shina Phillips, explained that the initiative is designed to expand the scope of the awards by encouraging dialogue, collaboration and investment within Nigeria’s sports ecosystem.
“We are pleased to announce our annual sports conference,” Phillips said. “It has been in the works for a long time and will feature both local and international speakers. Our aim is to renew national focus on sports while creating opportunities for administrators, investors and policymakers.”
The 2025 Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony is scheduled for Monday, December 22, 2025, and will celebrate outstanding achievements by Nigerian footballers, coaches, administrators, sponsors and journalists over the past year.
In the media categories, nominees for Football Journalist of the Year (Print) are Abiodun Adewale (Punch Newspapers), Johnny Edward (The Nation Newspapers) and Charles Diya (New Telegraph Newspapers).
The Football Journalist of the Year (TV) category features Babatunde Koiki (News Central Television), Cecilia Omorogbe (Channels TV) and Mozez Praiz (SuperSport).
In women’s football, the Queen of the Pitch nominees are Chiamaka Nnadozie of Brighton & Hove Albion Women, Esther Okoronkwo of AFC Toronto and Rasheedat Ajibade of PSG Féminine.
The King of the Pitch award will be contested by Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey and Victor Osimhen.
The 12th Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony is expected to bring together key stakeholders in Nigerian football, as the organisers continue to promote excellence, credibility and transparency in celebrating achievements within the sport.
