By Dianabasi Effiong
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the unveiling of the much-anticipated NFF Monthly Awards to celebrate the outstanding performances of Nigerian football players across various Football Leagues, including the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
According to a statement by the NFF spokesperson, Ademola Olajire, the NFF Monthly Awards aim to honour the brilliance, dedication and passion that Nigerian football players bring to the game, recognising the top players who have left their mark on the pitch.
He stated that the award categories are: Player of the Month (Male & Female), Goal of the Month, and Discovery of the Month.
“The nomination process for the awards is scientific, ensuring a fair and accurate selection of nominees.
“An independent organisation will collect and analyse players’ statistics throughout the month, ensuring that the best performances are highlighted.
“This unbiased, data-driven approach guarantees that the nominations reflect the top-performing players based on their contribution to their teams,” Olajire said.
He also said that the nominations for the first round of awards would be announced on Oct. 3, 2024.
According to him, the voting will be opened to fans and journalists alike, making this a truly inclusive and engaging event for the Nigerian football community.
He said that the voting process would ensure that fans and journalists would have the chance to vote for their favourite players via the official NFF voting portal on the website www.thenff.com.
“The voting period will run for one week following the announcement of the nominations.
“Fan Votes will account for 40% of the final decision, enabling supporters to have their voices heard and directly influence the outcome of these prestigious awards.
“The remaining 60% will be determined by journalists and industry professionals, ensuring a balanced and well-rounded selection process.
Speaking on the awards, NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said, “The NFF Monthly Awards are a key part of our efforts to further elevate Nigeria football, not only by recognising outstanding talent but by engaging with fans and the media in a way that brings the football community closer together.
“We believe that this initiative will encourage excellence on the field and foster a deeper connection between players and their supporters.
“The NFF Monthly Awards are a step forward in celebrating the rich and growing talent pool, and we look forward to the excitement that the awards will bring to fans, players and the media.
**Key Dates: Nominations Announcement: 3rd October 2024; Voting: 3rd October – Midnight of 7th October 2024).
