Super Eagles defender Benjamin Fedrick and Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade emerged as two of the biggest winners at the 3rd edition of the Nigeria–France Sports Awards, held on Monday night at La Maison des Arts, Paris, France.
The prestigious annual event celebrates outstanding achievements and leadership in sports while promoting cross-continental collaboration between Nigeria and France.
In her acceptance speech, Rasheedat Ajibade described the honour as a special moment, dedicating the award to her teammates and supporters.
“Winning the Nigeria–France Best Female Player of the Year is truly special,” Ajibade said. “This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the teamwork of my colleagues and the support from fans.”
This year’s edition brought together distinguished guests, diplomats, sports stakeholders from across Europe, and members of the Nigerian community in France for a colourful evening dedicated to honouring excellence in global sports.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Adeboye, was also recognised with a Prestigious Award of Excellence for his dedication to nurturing young talents and promoting grassroots sports across Nigeria.
In his heartfelt acceptance speech, Hon. Adeboye expressed gratitude for the recognition and dedicated the award to the “unsung heroes of Nigerian sports” — the grassroots coaches, administrators, and young athletes driving the nation’s sporting progress.
“This award is not just mine; it belongs to every grassroots coach, athlete, and sports lover across Nigeria,” he said. “Their passion, sacrifice, and resilience are what make our sports story inspiring. They are the heartbeat of our nation’s sporting success.”
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for its continued support of youth empowerment and grassroots sports development, describing the award as a reflection of the government’s commitment to building a stronger sporting future.
Winners of the night:
Benjamin Fedrick — Breakout Player of the Year
Rasheedat Ajibade — Female Player of the Year
Taiwo Awoniyi — Green & White Award
Chidozie Awaziem – Green & White Award
Otemu E. Egho — Super Falcons Fan of the Year
Onoriode Oboreomori, Executive Chairman, Delta State Sports Commission — Sports Commissioner of the Year
Ambassador Abimbola — Honorary Award for Service
Maria Tavares — Outstanding Contribution to Women’s and Youth Football Among others.
Former Super Eagles player Rabiu Afolabi and seven-time Olympian Olufunke Oshonaike were both honoured with Ambassadorial Awards for their remarkable contributions to Nigerian sports and their enduring legacies on the international stage.
Oshonaike, a seven-time Olympic table tennis champion, received the Laureus Ambassadorial Award, while Afolabi was presented with the Laureus Sporting Icon Award, receiving a standing ovation from the audience as the hall glittered with sports royalty.
Popular comedian Julian Stanley, widely known as Funny Bone, returned as the host of the ceremony for the second consecutive year. The red carpet sparkled with glitz and glamour as athletes, sports administrators, and distinguished guests arrived in style, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening in the world of sports.
The Nigeria–France Sports Awards, an event organised by OJB Media Network, has become a significant platform celebrating Nigerians making an impact in global sports, bridging the gap between home-based athletes and the diaspora while promoting unity through excellence.
