The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Africa’s largest grassroots domestic league, Nationwide League One (NLO), Olushola Ogunnowa, has been awarded the title of African Football Manager of the Year by Burkina Faso-based African Performance Leadership Award (APLA 2025).
Ogunnowo received his award on Friday, June 20, 2025, at the Airport Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos.
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 Organising 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.
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“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.”
Other award recipients were His Excellency Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, and Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The event featured prominent government officials, including His Excellency Dr. Jacob Zuma, former President of South Africa. Additionally, distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is among those who received awards.
