The Nigeria National League (NNL) will once again roll out the red carpet on Tuesday for its highly-anticipated Monthly Awards Ceremony, spotlighting brilliance across Nigeria’s second-tier football league.

The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the West Point Hotel, Zone 7, Wuse, Abuja, and promises to be a celebration of discipline, talent, and consistency — traits that often go unnoticed in the shadows of top-flight football.

🏆 Recognizing the Game Changers

Award categories include:

Best Behaved Team of the Month
Best Coach
Best Goalkeeper
Highest Goal Scorer
Best Goal
Best Referee
Most Valuable Player (MVP)

Each award category is carefully curated to not only applaud technical performance but also reward sportsmanship and integrity — a refreshing shift in narrative from the usual scoreline focus.

🎤 Dignitaries to Add Prestige

Two football icons are expected to grace the ceremony:

Sani Lulu, former NFF chairman
Tijani Babangida, ex-international and current PFAN President

Their presence brings a sense of legacy and continuity to an event that is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of football development in Nigeria.

💭 Opinion: A League That Rewards Growth is a League That Grows

The NNL Awards, launched in December 2024, are doing more than just handing out plaques and handshakes. They’re reshaping the narrative around lower-tier football in Nigeria — reminding fans, stakeholders, and players that excellence exists beyond the NPFL.

In a country where the spotlight is often fixated on the glitz of the Super Eagles or top-flight clubs, this initiative is a breath of fresh air. It encourages grassroots excellence, proper coaching, and character development — things the national football scene desperately needs if it hopes to return to global prominence.

By honouring not just goal scorers, but also goalkeepers, referees, and well-behaved teams, the NNL is building a culture where everyone’s contribution is valued.

🎉 Kudos to the NNL for championing this cause. May the cheers in Wuse echo all the way to the hearts of young talents across Nigeria.