President Bola Tinubu will receive 2024/25 NPFL champions Remo Stars at the Presidential Villa, marking a historic recognition of domestic football excellence.
The Sky Blue Stars, Nigeria’s first private club to win the league in over 20 years, are set to be honored ahead of the new season kickoff.
In a landmark gesture celebrating domestic football excellence, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to host Remo Stars, champions of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The visit will take place before the commencement of the 2025/26 NPFL season, in what is seen as a major endorsement of local sports development by the presidency.
According to SportBusinessBrand publisher Ojeikere Aikhoje, the decision aligns with a longstanding proposal submitted to the presidency in December 2024, which recommends official photo opportunities and formal receptions for any club that wins a domestic league. With Remo Stars securing their place in history, the club is now poised to enjoy a momentous occasion at Nigeria’s seat of power.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is to host #NPFL25 champions, Remo Stars, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja,” Aikhoje posted on X (Twitter). “It says a memo to have photo ops and handshakes for any team/club that wins a domestic league has been sent to the President since December 2024.”
Remo Stars, fondly referred to as the Sky Blue Stars, clinched their first-ever NPFL title last month, after two seasons of finishing as runners-up. The club, based in Ikenne, Ogun State, defied the odds to secure the coveted league title, becoming the first privately owned team in over two decades to lift the NPFL trophy.
Under the guidance of head coach Daniel Ogunmodede, Remo Stars delivered a consistent and impressive campaign throughout the 2024/25 season. Their success not only broke a long-standing monopoly of government-backed teams but also showcased the rising potential of well-structured, privately owned football clubs in Nigeria.
Their triumph has earned them a spot in next season’s CAF Champions League, where they will fly Nigeria’s flag alongside Rivers United. Expectations are high as Nigerian football enthusiasts hope to see improved continental performances and a deeper run into the latter stages of Africa’s most prestigious club competition.
Meanwhile, Abia Warriors and the eventual winners of the President’s Federation Cup will feature in the CAF Confederation Cup. The final of the Federation Cup between Kwara United and Abakaliki FC is scheduled to take place later this month, and the winner will join Nigeria’s continental representatives for the 2025 campaign.
President Tinubu’s reception of Remo Stars is expected to not only inspire grassroots clubs and private investors but also deepen national recognition for sports development. It sends a powerful message that excellence in Nigerian football, regardless of structure or ownership, is deserving of high-level acknowledgement.
This move is likely to boost morale across the domestic football community and encourage more strategic investment in the NPFL. For Remo Stars, it’s a dream realized from Ikenne to the Presidential Villa, showcasing what vision, discipline, and local talent can achieve in Nigerian football.
As anticipation builds for the official ceremony in Abuja, Remo Stars’ historic feat will remain a shining example for other clubs seeking to leave a mark on the Nigerian football landscape.
