When Moses Nagogo first watched a group of young girls playing barefooted on a dusty pitch in a local community tournament, he didn’t just see talent—he saw dreams waiting to be recognized. That single moment, simple yet profound, ignited the spark that would eventually give birth to the Soccer Queens Awards, one of Nigeria’s most inspiring initiatives celebrating women in football.
Now, years later, the 2025 edition of the Soccer Queens Annual Awards is set to take centre stage on Saturday, November 15th, 2025, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Edo State. For Nagogo, this event is more than a ceremony—it’s a mission to empower, recognize, and uplift women footballers across Nigeria.
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“I’ve always been passionate about women’s football and empowering women in sports,” Nagogo said in an exclusive interview with Awijare News. “When I saw those girls playing with so much passion but little recognition, I knew something had to change.”
A Vision Rooted in Passion and Purpose
For Nagogo, the journey of the Soccer Queens Awards has been one of faith, persistence, and resilience. His motivation comes from seeing the tangible impact the awards have on the lives of female players. Each recognition, he says, inspires others to dream bigger.
“Every time a player is recognized and empowered, it motivates others. That’s what keeps us going,” he noted.
The name “Soccer Queens”, he explained, carries symbolic power. It represents royalty on the pitch—a declaration that Nigerian women footballers deserve respect, dignity, and admiration. “It’s about empowerment, pride, and reminding every girl that she’s a queen in her own right,” he added.
Growth, Lessons, and New Horizons
Since its inception, the Soccer Queens Awards has evolved remarkably. What started as a modest initiative has become a nationwide platform for female footballers across the NWFL Premiership, Championship, and Nationwide Leagues.
“We’ve learned the importance of community engagement and building partnerships,” Nagogo shared. “Every edition teaches us something new, and we use those lessons to make the next one better.”
The 2025 edition introduces 14 unique award categories, each designed to celebrate distinct qualities within women’s football—ranging from technical excellence to leadership and tactical brilliance. According to Nagogo, the aim was to “give titles that move away from the usual” and reflect the diversity of the women’s game.
Benin City was intentionally chosen as the host city. “Benin has always been a strong base for women’s football. It’s symbolic because many key stakeholders and past tournaments have made the city a hub for the women’s game,” he explained.
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Beyond Awards — Building a Movement
Nagogo insists that the Soccer Queens Awards go beyond recognition. They are part of a broader movement aimed at empowering women through sports, telling their stories, and amplifying their voices.
“Storytelling and media are powerful,” he said. “They help showcase the brilliance of women footballers and inspire younger girls to believe in their own potential.”
Past winners have experienced increased visibility, national recognition, and even career advancements. “Some have gained confidence and recognition within their communities and even been called up for national assignments,” he revealed proudly.
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Challenges and the Call for Support
Like many initiatives driven by passion, the journey has not been without challenges. Funding and logistics remain the biggest hurdles. “We are yet to get corporate sponsorship, but we are getting close,” Nagogo admitted.
Despite these constraints, he remains undeterred. “Even with limited resources, we have achieved so much. But imagine how much more we could do with the right support,” he said.
To this end, Nagogo made a heartfelt appeal to government bodies, corporate organizations, philanthropists, and football enthusiasts across the world.
“Nothing is too small,” he emphasized. “Even established players, male and female, who have walked this path and now thrive abroad can help. Let’s be part of the process and make future champions together.”
He further shared that the Soccer Queens initiative has previously hosted the Soccer Queens Cup and Talent Discovery programs in Lokoja, which helped uncover talents like Harmony Chidi, one of Nigeria’s sensational attackers. Unfortunately, due to funding limitations, these programs had to pause—but Nagogo is eager to revive them once financial support is secured.
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The 2025 Awards — A Celebration of Excellence
A total of 14 awards will be presented this year, cutting across the three tiers of Nigerian women’s football. The categories include:
Premiership Awards:
The Game Changer, Goal Machine, The Wall, The Maestro, The Rock, The Tactician
Championship Awards:
The Star, The Prolific Striker, The Guardian, The Mastermind
Nationwide Awards:
The Phenom, The Deadly Finisher, The Hero, The Architect
Nagogo’s dream is to see the Soccer Queens Awards evolve into a global platform that celebrates women’s football beyond borders. “We want this initiative to be remembered as a catalyst for change in women’s football, inspiring generations of players across Africa,” he concluded.
For those wishing to support financially, contributions can be made to:
Account Name: Soccer Queens
Account Number: 1023277611
Bank: UBA PLC
Account Type: Current
