It was an evening of glamour and celebration as leading figures in Nigerian sports gathered at the prestigious Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, for the 2026 Sportsville Special Recognition Awards held on Friday.

The highlight of the night was the honour bestowed on Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, who received the Sportsville Sports Transformative Impact Award in recognition of his sweeping reforms and contributions to the development of sports in Nigeria.

An elated Dikko, in his acceptance speech, described the award as a call to greater service, pledging renewed commitment to advancing Nigerian sports. He dedicated the honour to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and members of staff of the National Sports Commission.

“This is a call to do more; it’s a debt that must be paid with total dedication to further reforms and development in Nigerian sports. I am grateful to Sportsville for this very significant honour,” Dikko said.

Also recognised on the night were President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Enitan Oshodi, and initiator of the Niger Delta Games, Itiako Ikpokpo, who jointly received the Sports Personality of the Year Award.

Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Amadin Desmond Enabulele, was honoured with the Visionary Leadership Award, while seasoned sports administrators Kwame Arthur and Chuka Momah were recipients of the Sports Icon Award.

In the innovation category, Bambo Akani, founder of Making of Champions, and Dr Femi Bankole-Alibay were celebrated for their pioneering efforts in sports development, particularly in athletics and 5-aside football respectively.

The Achievers Category recognised contributions from Head of Safety and Security at CAF, Dr Christian Emeruwa, alongside Chief Felix Akiga.

Several individuals were also acknowledged in the Special Recognition Category, including Godwin Kienka, Toyosi Oyetunji, Toyin Aluko, Ama-ebi Ebikpolade, Akin Afolarin, Isaac Danladi, Fausat Dehinde-Yekini, and Fred Newton Erhunmwunse, Chairman of the Edo State Football Association.

In the corporate and institutional awards segment, the Akwa Ibom State Government and Eagle Wings FC, Benin City, emerged winners of the Best Sports Facility Award in the public and private categories respectively, while Brila Media Group clinched the Excellence in Sports Media Award.

Speaking at the event, Chairman/CEO of Sportsville Communication Services, Hon. Frank Ilaboya, reaffirmed the credibility of the awards, stressing that the selection process would remain transparent and merit-driven.

“The Sportsville Award has come to stay, and we have our eyes solely on those truly impacting Nigerian sports across the board,” Ilaboya stated.

A total of 20 distinguished individuals and organisations were honoured at the ceremony, underscoring the growing recognition of excellence and impactful contributions within Nigeria’s sports ecosystem.

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Renowned media entrepreneur and sports broadcaster, Larry Izamoje, will chair proceedings at the 6th edition of the Sportsville Special Recognition Awards scheduled to hold this evening at the Lagos Country Club.

The annual ceremony, which has grown into one of Nigeria’s notable sports recognition platforms, is expected to attract top stakeholders across the sports industry, with 20 individuals and institutions billed to be honoured across seven categories.

Organisers say the event will celebrate excellence and contributions to sports development in the country, with distinguished personalities cutting across administration, media, and grassroots development set to receive honours.

In the Icon Category, veteran sports figures Kwame Arthur and Chuka Momah will be recognised, while Hon. Itiako Ikpokpo and Hon. Wahid Oshodi are to be decorated as Sports Personalities of the Year. Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, will receive the prestigious Sports Transformative Impact Award.

Other recipients include Dr. Femi Bankole Alibay and Bambo Akani in the Creative and Innovative Category, as well as Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, who will be honoured for Visionary Leadership.

CAF Safety Officer and former basketball player, Dr. Christian Emeruwa, alongside Felix Akiga, are among those slated to receive the Achievers Award.

In the Special Recognition Category, Nasarawa State Attorney General, Barr. Isaac Danladi, will headline the list of awardees, alongside respected athletics announcer Akin Afolarin, Edo State FA Chairman Fred Newton Erhunwunse, Dr. Toyin Aluko, Fausat Dehinde Yekini, and sports advocate Toyosi Oyetunji.

Infrastructure will also be spotlighted, with the Godswill Akpabio Stadium set to receive the Best Facilities Award in the government category, while Eagles Wings FC Sports Complex will be honoured in the private sector category.

The ceremony is scheduled to commence at 6 p.m., with a red carpet session starting 30 minutes earlier.

Established six years ago, the Sportsville Awards aim to recognise and reward individuals and organisations driving the growth and development of sports in Nigeria.

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By Kunle Solaja.

Lagos will witness a gathering of some of the biggest names in Nigerian sports administration and athletics as the 6th edition of the Sportsville Special Recognition Award holds on Good Friday.

The event, scheduled for 6 pm at the Lagos Country Club, is expected to attract a distinguished audience drawn from across the nation’s sporting ecosystem. Chairman of the occasion is Larry Izamoje, founder of Brila Media Group.

Among the high-profile dignitaries already in Lagos for the ceremony are former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, now Special Adviser to the President, as well as respected sports administrator Amos Adamu. Also confirmed are Danladi Bako and football legend Segun Odegbami.

The Managing Director of Lift Above Poverty Organisation, Godwin Ehigiamusoe, is also among the prominent guests expected at the ceremony.

Top officials from the National Sports Commission will be led to the event by its Director General, Bukola Olopade. The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, will also be in attendance alongside coach Fanny Amun and Nigeria Olympic Committee scribe Tunde Popoola.

Olympians such as Henry Amike and Olumide Oyedeji are equally expected, adding further glamour to the night.

Other notable personalities billed for the event include marketing and corporate figures like Idoreyin Enag, Taye Ige, sports consultant Mitchel Obi and Tayo Popoola.

Media and sports stakeholders such as Felix Awogu, Charles Anazodo, Kweku Tandoh, Efiong Nyong and Mojeed Adegbindin are also listed among the guests.

Former internationals, including Waidi Akanni, Friday Elahor, Wasiu Ipaye, Loveday Omoniyi and Sarah Igunbor, are also expected to grace the occasion.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of Sportsville Communication Services Limited, Frank Ilaboya, described the event as a celebration of excellence in Nigerian sports.

“The annual Sportsville Award has become a gathering of the crème de la crème of sports personalities in Nigeria, and this is exactly what we are expecting,” Ilaboya said.

He added that the organising committee, headed by Harry Iwuala, has put finishing touches to ensure a memorable evening.

“This is our sixth edition, and we are ready to leverage our past experiences to deliver an award ceremony that will meet international standards. With the quality of guests on the ground, it promises to be another great night of celebration,” he said.

The Sportsville Special Recognition Award has, over the years, established itself as one of Nigeria’s premier sports honour platforms, celebrating outstanding contributions and achievements across various disciplines.

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