Nigeria Pitch Awards: Samuel Ahmadu Wins Fourth Time Football Journalist of the Year Title
Oru Leonard
SavidNews Editor, Samuel Ahmadu, has emerged winner of the 2025 Nigerian Football Journalist of the Year – Online category at the Nigeria Pitch Awards, securing the honour for the fourth time.
Ahmadu was announced the winner at the awards ceremony held on Tuesday at Ibis Hotel, Lagos, where leading figures in Nigerian football, sports journalism and administration gathered to celebrate excellence in the industry.
He polled 74 votes to finish ahead of veteran sports journalist Kunle Solaja, who garnered 67 votes, while Niyi Busari placed third with 57 votes.
The result gave Ahmadu a seven-vote advantage over Solaja and 17 votes over Busari, underlining his strong standing in one of the most competitive categories at the awards.
The latest recognition further strengthens Ahmadu’s reputation in Nigerian sports journalism, particularly his contribution to football reporting and the promotion of women’s football.
Over the years, he has covered major developments involving the Nigeria Football Federation, Nigeria Women Football League, CAF competitions and Nigeria’s national teams, building a reputation for extensive domestic and international football reporting.
Beyond journalism, Ahmadu currently serves as Spokesperson of the Nigeria Women Football League, with responsibility for strategic media communication, publicity and promotion of the domestic women’s league.
He is also Special Assistant on Media to the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, where he is involved in media and public communication for the Commission.
His profile in sports administration has also continued to grow, following his recent election as Deputy Secretary General of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria at the association’s Triennial National Delegates Congress in Kaduna.
The latest Pitch Awards victory therefore adds another major milestone to a career that has increasingly bridged sports journalism, media management, football development and public communication.
His fourth triumph in the Nigerian Football Journalist of the Year – Online category also reflects the expanding influence of digital journalism in Nigeria’s football ecosystem, with online platforms playing an increasingly significant role in news reporting, analysis and audience engagement.
With 74 votes, Ahmadu once again emerged ahead of a strong field of contenders, reinforcing his position among the country’s recognised football journalists.
The Nigeria Pitch Awards continue to provide a platform for celebrating individuals and organisations that have made notable contributions to the development and promotion of Nigerian football.
