Celebrating Nigerian Excellence in Sports: The Inaugural Nigerian UK Sports Awards
The inaugural Nigerian UK Sports Awards (NUKSA) will take place on September 15, 2025, in London. This landmark event aims to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Nigerians in sports while also supporting grassroots initiatives that nurture future talent. The ceremony will recognize over 130 individuals and organizations across 36 award categories, highlighting excellence in various fields such as sports, philanthropy, media, and community development.
Hosted by well-known media personalities Mayowa Quadri (VERSUS) and Sirayah Shiraz, the event promises to be a grand tribute to the contributions of Nigerians who have made a significant impact both locally and globally. According to event spokesperson David Doherty, “This is more than just an award ceremony; it’s a monumental tribute to generations of Nigerians excelling in sport, giving back to communities, and inspiring global impact and the next generation.”
Notable Attendees and Honorees
Several prominent figures from the world of football have expressed their support for the event. Among them are Victor Osimhen and Leon Balogun, who have confirmed their attendance. Additionally, football legend Nwankwo Kanu will be present to receive the NUKSA Legendary Award. He will join 19 other iconic figures being inducted into the Hall of Fame, including Jay-Jay Okocha, Eniola Aluko, Joseph Yobo, John Mikel Obi, and Daniel Amokachi.
The public will have the opportunity to vote for nominees in 14 open categories, including Best Male Striker, Midfielder, Goalkeeper, Female Athlete of the Year, Rising Star, and MVP Awards. Voting can be done through the official website at www.nuksawards.org/vote.
Key Nominees and Categories
In the Best Male Striker category, notable names include Cyriel Dessers, Tammy Abraham, and Taiwo Awoniyi. For the Best Male Midfielder, contenders are Eberechi Eze, Alex Iwobi, and Wilfred Ndidi. The Female Athlete of the Year category features Elizabeth Oshoba, Ashleigh Plumptre, and Rinsola Babajide. Breakout stars Ethan Nwaneri and Michael Olise have also received recognition.
Closed categories will honor exceptional figures such as Victor Osimhen, who will receive The Naija Spirit Award, Anthony Joshua (Amazing UK Boxer of Nigerian Descent), Bukayo Saka (NUKSA Male MVP), and Asisat Oshoala (Female MVP). Southampton FC will be recognized with the Best Community Sports Development Programme award for its efforts in grassroots football development.
Philanthropy and Humanitarian Recognition
Ten philanthropy and humanitarian awards will be presented, honoring foundations such as Project 17 (Alex Iwobi), The Pearl Fund (Maro Itoje), Bukayo Saka & BigShoe Initiative, Troost-Ekong Foundation, and Kiddwaya Foundation. These awards reflect the commitment of Nigerian athletes and leaders to giving back to their communities.
The ceremony will also celebrate 11 prominent Nigerian voices in UK media, including Juliana Olayinka (Channels TV), Damian Johnson (BBC Sport), and Anita Nneka Jones (Sky Sports). Special recognition awards will honor over 60 individuals across social impact, community development, and socio-cultural influence, with recipients including Davido, Don Jazzy, and Funke Akindele.
Lifetime Honours and Iconic Figures
Lifetime honours will be given to Dr. Ademola Are for Lifetime Achievement in Sports Development, Tunde Karim for Legacy in Sports & Community Development, and Adebayo Karim for Youth Inspiration & Legacy Impact. The ICON/VVIP category will honor 10 prominent leaders, including Governor Douye Diri (Bayelsa State), Governor Ademola Adeleke (Osun State), and Ambassador Mohammed Maina Maidugu (Nigeria High Commission, UK).
Supporting Grassroots Sports
The event will be attended by state governors, high-level diplomats, and government officials from Nigeria and the UK, marking a historic moment in spotlighting Nigerian excellence in sports and community development. All proceeds from the evening will support grassroots sports initiatives and mentorship programmes for young athletes, reinforcing the awards’ commitment to nurturing the next generation of Nigerian sporting talent.