The Nigeria Pitch Awards are awards presented to Nigerian former and present sports people, administrators and journalists in recognition of their positive contributions to sports in Nigeria. Initiated by Matchmakers Consult International Limited and approved by the Nigeria Football Federation, the first Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony was held on November 16, 2013 in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
2013 – 1st Nigeria Pitch Awards
2015 – 2nd Nigeria Pitch Awards
2016 – 3rd Nigeria Pitch Awards
The award was initiated with 16 categories until March 10, 2016 when 6 categories were added. The following are the current categories:
The first edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards was held on November 16, 2013 at the Transcorp Metropolitan Hotel in Calabar, Cross River State with notable sports and government personalities in attendance.
Goalkeeper of the Year – Vincent Enyeama
Defender of the Year – Godfrey Oboabona
Midfielder of the Year – Mikel Obi
Striker of the Year – Emmanuel Emenike
Caoch of the Year – Stephen Keshi
Manager of the Year – Felix Anyansi-Agwu
Club of the Year – Kano Pillars F.C.
Referee of the Year – Jelili Ogunmuyiwa
Players' Agent of the Year – John Olatunji Shittu
State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme – Lagos State
Football Journalist of the Year (Print) – Ade Ojeikere
Football Journalist of the Year (Radio) – Bimbo Adeola
Football Journalist of the Year (TV) – Toyin Ibitoye
Football Achievement Awards – Aminu Maigari, Musa Amadu and Chris Green
Special Recognition Awards – Jay-Jay Okocha, Rafiu Ladipo, Gideon Akinsola and Paul Bassey
The 2nd Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony was held on June 13, 2015 in Abuja following a change in the schedule which was originally slated to hold on May 6, 2015 in Lagos. The ceremony saw Vincent Enyeama, Toyin Ibitoye, Bimbo Adeola and Felix Anyansi-Agwu retain Goalkeeper of the Year, Football Journalist of the Year (TV), Football Journalist of the Year (Radio) and Manager of the Year awards.
Goalkeeper of the Year – Vincent Enyeama
Defender of the Year – Kenneth Omeruo
Midfielder of the Year – Ogenyi Onazi
Striker of the Year – Ahmed Musa
Referee of the Year – Ferdinand Udoh
Club of the Year – Kano Pillars F.C.
Coach of the Year – Okey Emordi
Manager of the Year – Felix Anyansi-Agwu
Football Friendly Governor of the Year – Liyel Imoke
State with the Best Graasroots Football Development Programme – Lagos State
Football Journalist of the Year (Print) – Tana Aiyejina
Football Journalist of the Year (Radio) – Bimbo Adeola
Football Journalist of the Year (TV) – Toyin Ibitoye
Queen of the Pitch – Asisat Oshoala
King of the Pitch – Vincent Enyeama
The 3rd Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony was held on March 25, 2016 in at Hotel Seventeen in Kaduna. At the ceremony, Assisat Oshoala and Tana Aiyejina retained their awards as Queen of the Pitch and Football Journalist of the Year (Print){cite http://dailytimes.ng/ighalo-oshoala-emerge-king-queen-of-nigerian-football/). The well attended Award Ceremony was witnessed by The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Solomon Dalong, the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, NFF 2nd Vice President, Shehu Dikko and other Board Members. Also present, were Sir Mike Okiro, Chairman, Police Service Commission, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Managing Partner, SIAO Partners, Kunle Soname, Chairman, BET9JA, Super Eagles Interim Coach, Samson Siasia, Super Eagles Captain, John Obi Mikel and all members of the Super Eagles and coaching crew.
Ikechukwu Ezenwa - Goal Keeper of the Year
Chinedu Udoji - Defender of the Year
Paul Onobi - Midfielder of the Year
Odion Ighalo - Striker of the Year
Gbolahan Salami - Rasheedi Yekini Award
Gbolahan Salami - MVP (Men) in the NPFL
Ngozi Ebere - MVP (Women) in the NPFL
Enyimba FC - Club of the Year
U-17 Golden Eaglet - Team of the Year
Emmanuel Amuneke - Coach of the Year
Kadiri Ikhana - Manager of the Year
Ferdinand Udoh _ Referee of the Year
John Olatunji Shittu - Player’s Agent of the Year
Lagos State _ State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme
H.E Nyesom Wike - Football Friendly Governor of the Year
Tana Aiyejina _ Football Journalist of the Year – Print
Godwin Enakhena - Football Journalist of the Year –Radio
Austin Okon-Akpan _ Football Journalist of the Year –TV
Globacom _ Gold-Corporate Sponsor of Football
Guinness - Silver- Corporate Sponsor of Football
Supersport - Bronze- Corporate Sponsor of Football
Segun Odegbami _ Sam Okwaraji Awards
Amaju Pinnick - Sam Okwaraji Awards
John Obi Mikel _ Sam Okwaraji Awards
Asisat Oshoala - Queen of the Pitch
Odion Ighalo - King of the Pitch
HE Nasir El-Rufai - Special Achievement Award
Barr. Solomon Dalong - Special Achievement Award
Sir Mike Mbama Okiro - Special Achievement Award
Dr Mohammed Sanusi - Special Achievement Award
Samson Siasia - Football Achievement Award
