Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo -Olu, Alex Otti of Abia State ,Speaker , Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa , Chief Operating Officer , Nationwide League One( NLO), Olushola Ogunnowo among other eminent personalities were honoured on Friday at the 2025 African Performance Leadership Award ( APLA), held at the Airport Hotel , Ikeja , Lagos .
Olushola Ogunnowo was awarded the title of African Football Manager of the year by organizers of the event attended by prominent leaders and distinguished individuals in various fields.
He earned the prestigious recognition due to his pragmatic and exceptional administrative skills, strong work ethic, and transformative policies that have established grassroots football in Nigeria as a viable business brand, according to the Award Organizing Committee.
“It is a great honour for me, and this award is dedicated to Nigeria’s grassroots football, the hundreds of talented players who have experienced career growth through the NLO platform, and the millions of passionate fans who support the brand,” said a delighted Ogunnowo.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the NFF President Ibrahim Gasau, Chairman NLO, His Excellency Silas Agara, Dr Mohammed Sanusi for his encouragement, staff of NLO and APLA 2025 for this distinguished award. However, I believe it is less about me as the COO of NLO and more about the spirit of commitment shared by everyone at the NLO.
“Being named the Best African Football Manager of the Year (2025) presents a new challenge for me. It is about football and ensuring that Nigeria’s grassroots football is as competitive as the best in the world, providing a pathway to top leagues for our promising youth.”
