The 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season is only two weeks old, but its first major off-field event has already left a sour taste.
The end-of-season awards for 2024/25, held in Abuja, was meant to showcase the league’s best performers. Instead, it turned into a low-key gathering that raised more questions about organisation and presentation.
Only two prizes were handed out Golden Boot winner Yusuf Anas, who scored 18 goals for Nasarawa United, and Remo Stars coach Daniel Ogunmodede, who delivered the club’s first league title.
Anas was present to collect his award, but Ogunmodede was absent, busy in Uyo with the Super Eagles, and represented by former Lobi Stars coach Tony Bolus.
Coach Bolus receiving the award from NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye. Photo Credit: Football Temple
Beyond that, the day had Littleton to offer. There was no red carpet, no entertainment, and very little media publicity.
Even worse, the Abuja branch of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) openly criticised the NPFL board for sidelining journalists, urging its members not to cover the ceremony. That decision ensured even fewer people heard about the awards at all.
What should have been a moment of pride ended up feeling small, a handful of administrators, including NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, a few dignitaries, and some amateur video clips uploaded online.
Lessons to learn
Around the world, football awards are an extension of the brand. The Ballon d’Or, FIFA’s The Best, UEFA’s gala nights, the Premier League and Football Writers’ awards in England, and South Africa’s PSL awards all combine star power, production, and media coverage to elevate their leagues.
READ MORE:nine-players-join-nigeria-camp-as-super-eagles-gear-up-for-crucial-qualifiers
In fact, the last editions of the award sponsored by Euinsell was better organized but the League body decided to take control of its award ceremony this year.
Anas Yusuf flanked alongside NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi. Photo Credit: X
Nigeria must learn from those examples. If the NPFL is serious about growth, it must treat its awards as a showcase, not an afterthought. That means:
Bigger publicity: build hype through press conferences, media campaigns and broadcast partnerships.
Media inclusion: involve SWAN and other journalist bodies, rather than sideline them.
Star presence: ensure players, coaches and legends are central to the event, not administrators.
Production quality: invest in live coverage, professional filming, and post-event highlights.
Atmosphere: red carpet, music, entertainment and fan interaction to make the awards memorable.
Expanded categories: honour more than just the Golden Boot and title-winning coach goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, young players, referees, and even supporters’ clubs.
Photo Credit: Football Temple
The NPFL chairman Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye had promised before the event that the awards would promote excellence and, in future expand further
“The awards was conceptualised to reward exceptional performances and promote excellence,” he said.
“We are working to expand award categories to capture other positions including the best supporting fan clubs,” Elegbeleye stated.
“We also have plans to make the award more elaborate by way of adding entertainment value to the event beyond presentation of rewards,” he added.
That may come next year, but the 2024/2025 edition fell far short of those ambitions.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL
Football in Nigeria is improving on the pitch. But off it, the NPFL must learn that presentation is part of progress.
Its stars deserve a stage that matches their achievements and its fans deserve a league that celebrates them properly.
