Night of Stars: Dikko, Oshodi Lead Roll Call of Honour at 2026 Sportsville Awards

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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