After carefully reviewing every submission from those who generously spared their time to share their nominations for our 2025 Man of the Year Award, I am pleased and truly encouraged by the depth of insight, sincerity, and thoughtfulness expressed in the responses.
It is with great satisfaction that I now reveal the names of individuals whose character, impact, and achievements clearly reflect the essence of this award, those who have proven, beyond doubt, that the cap truly fits.
For sure, the participation of those who contributed has not only strengthened the credibility of this process, but has also shown that recognition rooted in merit will always find voices willing to uphold it.
I sincerely appreciate your time, your judgment, and your commitment to celebrating excellence with us. Thank you for being part of this important moment, and for helping us honor the right people.
The award goes like this:-
Distinguished Senator Barau Ibrahim Jibrin, the Deputy Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who also serves as the Sole Proprietor of Barau (Basau) Football Club, Kano, has emerged as our overall 2025 Man of the Year.
This is because, the Senator’s name has dominated the nomination pool, having been forwarded by an overwhelming majority of respondents.
His consistent mention was not incidental, but a reflection of the deep admiration and respect he commands within the sporting community of this great state.
Many contributors attributed their nominations to his remarkable zeal, unbending passion, and visible commitment to sports development, particularly in the area of sponsorship and athletic empowerment.
Across the responses received, a common theme stood out, Senator Barau’s exceptional drive in championing sports sponsorship, his readiness to invest personal and institutional resources in nurturing talent, and his impactful role in supporting sporting initiatives that extend beyond football, reaching grassroots athletes, competitions, and community-based programs.
Respondents noted that his contributions are fuelled not by obligation, but by genuine enthusiasm and a forward-looking vision to see sports thrive as a tool for youth engagement, community unity, and regional pride.
His sponsorship efforts have provided opportunities for footballers to grow, compete, and gain visibility, while his football club continues to serve as a platform for cultivating and showcasing local talent from Kano and the wider region.
The DSP also demonstrated exceptional strategic leadership and firm financial commitment, providing the long-term support that propelled Barau Football Club from the lower divisions to earn promotion into the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for the 2025/2026 and 2025/2026 seasons.
He recorded a historic milestone for Kano State, becoming the first time ever that two Kano-based football clubs (Barau FC and Kano Pillars FC) competed simultaneously in the NPFL, a breakthrough that strengthened the state’s football representation on the national stage and amplified regional pride.
The senator also sustained institutional stability and continued financial backing throughout the club’s demanding NPFL debut season, ensuring operations remained uninterrupted even amid intense competition, mounting pressure, and persistent relegation threats, during which the team held the 17th position on the league table.
Senator Barau upheld belief in the club’s mission during its most difficult moments, reinforcing a model of leadership defined by resilience, responsibility, and consistency, proving that true sports development is not only about victories, but about staying committed when challenges stand tallest.
In a nutshell, Distinguished Senator Barau Ibrahim Jibrin has distinguished himself as a visionary sports philanthropist, offering sustained and impactful support across multiple pillars of sports growth and football development, including:
- Financial and institutional sponsorship to football clubs, strengthening team stability and competitiveness.
- Support to match officials and referees, enhancing professionalism and match integrity.
- Investment in players’ welfare, prioritizing athlete wellbeing, motivation, and performance sustainability.
- Backing for supporters’ stands and match-day engagement, fostering vibrant fan culture and community participation.
- Continuous support to the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), reinforcing sports media advocacy, documentation, and national discourse.
Beyond football sponsorship, the Senator has played a transformational role in sports infrastructure.
He facilitated the construction of a modern sports stadium in Danbatta Town, Danbatta Local Government Area, marking a major leap in grassroots sports development and expanding access to sporting opportunities for young athletes across Kano State.
His interventions have not only strengthened elite football participation, but have also significantly boosted community-level sports infrastructure, youth engagement, and talent discovery, laying a durable foundation for future sporting excellence in the region.
Distinguished Senator Barau Ibrahim Jibrin’s contributions represent an extraordinary legacy of football development, grassroots empowerment, infrastructure expansion, and sports philanthropy in Kano State, a rare blend of leadership, generosity, and long-term impact that continues to inspire institutions, athletes, and communities alike.
With all these, it is therefore with great honor and collective consensus that we celebrate Senator Barau Ibrahim Jibrin as our 2025 Man of the Year, a title that recognizes not only his influence, but also his impact, generosity, and enduring legacy in sports sponsorship and development.
This award symbolizes our appreciation for a leader whose actions continue to inspire hope, strengthen institutions, and elevate the profile of sports as a cornerstone of progress and empowerment.
Alhaji Yusuf Datti
Alhaji Yusuf Datti, the National Deputy Vice President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) and Chairman of the National Dala Hard Court Tennis Organising Committee, has been recognized as our Best Sports Organizer of the Year 2025.
Elected National Deputy Vice President of the NTF on 25 October 2025 in Abuja, securing a decisive victory with 12 votes to 2, Alhaji Datti has demonstrated exceptional leadership, organizational skill, and stanch commitment to tennis administration in Nigeria.
For over a decade, he has successfully organized and sustained the Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship without interruption, transforming it into Nigeria’s most consistent and prestigious national tennis tournament.
Under his stewardship, the championship has become a benchmark for excellence in sports event management, attracting top players, officials, and stakeholders from across the country.
Alhaji Datti’s dedication has significantly elevated Kano State’s reputation as a national hub for tennis development and administration, showcasing the state’s capacity to host world-class sporting events.
Through meticulous planning, strategic coordination, and an unrelenting focus on quality, he has created a legacy of professionalism, continuity, and sportsmanship in tennis organization that inspires administrators and athletes alike.
Dr. S.S. Musa Sultan
Next is Engr. Dr. S.S. Musa Sultan (also referred to as Suleiman Musa Sultan) is the President and CEO of InterTech Football Academy. He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE). , who is proudly and fondly referred to by many with admiration, as a true model for young minds, a passionate educator, and a committed sponsor of sports development.
Over the years, he has become widely recognized for driving numerous ground-breaking and highly commendable innovations in Kano State’s sporting landscape.
His authentic love and firm dedication to sports have distinguished him far beyond ordinary involvement.
This passion is not only expressed in words, but in concrete actions that continue to reshape the future of sports in the state.
Among his notable contributions is the establishment of a thriving Football Academy in the state, an institution built on vision and purpose which has steadily guided many of its students from grassroots potential to promising opportunities on bigger platforms, both locally and beyond.
In addition to nurturing talent, Engr. Dr. Sultan has made substantial investments in sports infrastructure, demonstrating his belief that long-term athletic success is built not only on skill development, but also on access to world-class facilities.
His efforts extend to creating sustainable sporting environments where young athletes can train, compete, and thrive with confidence.
Through these infrastructure initiatives, he continues to lay a solid foundation for future champions, enhance community participation in sports, and contribute to Kano State’s emergence as a hub for sporting excellence.
Engr. Sultan is currently constructing a state-of-the-art multi-purpose stadium, a project inspired by his long-standing desire to provide a space where athletic excellence, community engagement, and national sporting ambitions can converge.
Furthermore, his commitment to creating sustainable sports development is underscored by another remarkable milestone: the ongoing construction of a fully equipped multi-purpose stadium, aimed at elevating Kano State into a new era of sporting competitiveness and opportunity.
Beyond football, his influence spans across multiple sports initiatives, sponsorship programs, and policy-shaping contributions that continue to empower athletes, inspire youth participation, and attract public and private sector collaboration in sports.
Indeed, Engr. Dr. Sultan’s legacy is one of vision, impact, and transformational leadership. He is a man whose contributions continue to open doors, build dreams, and set new standards for sports development in Kano State.
It is on the strength of these remarkable contributions and many more that space does not permit us to fully highlight here that we proudly recognize him as a standout force in Kano State sports development.
His impact, generosity, and forward-thinking investments speak louder than any lengthy tribute could express.
In acknowledgment of his exceptional support for athletes, youth empowerment, and sports infrastructure across the state, we have conferred on him the title of Best Sports Philanthropist in Kano State.
This recognition is not merely an award, but a testament to a legacy of service, vision, and meaningful transformation one that continues to inspire communities, elevate sporting standards, and create pathways for the next generation of champions.
Alhaji Ibrahim Canji
Alhaji Ibrahim Canji, the immediate past Chairman of Barau Football Club, has emerged as our Best Club Administrator of the Year 2025.
This recognition follows his exemplary administrative leadership, structured club management, and hands-on governance, which guided the club’s steady rise from the lower divisions to secure a historic promotion into the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for the 2025/2026 season.
Throughout the club’s growth journey, Alhaji Canji demonstrated a leadership model built on organization, accountability, operational discipline, and institutional coordination.
His management approach strengthened internal systems, ensured strategic decision-making, and fostered a stable environment that allowed talent, planning, and sponsorship support to translate into competitive success.
His role extended beyond conventional oversight. He provided: Effective administrative direction, sound management of sporting and technical units, transparent governance and stakeholder engagement and steady leadership during competitive pressure.
Alhaji Canji’s contribution reflects the importance of structured sports administration, proving that successful football development is not only built on the pitch, but also in boardroom strategy, institutional management, and consistent organizational leadership.
For providing outstanding administrative leadership, effective club management, and strategic governance that enabled Barau (Basau) Football Club to progress from the lower leagues to the NPFL 2025/2026 season, while fostering institutional stability, operational excellence, and stakeholder confidence.
Canji also played a pivotal and influential role in steering the club to achieve its historic promotion into the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), marking a defining moment in the club’s journey to the highest level of national football competition.
He provided strong oversight in technical coordination, match logistics, operational planning, and player welfare systems, ensuring that the club met the organisational and professional requirements necessary for participation in Nigeria’s elite football league.
He also directed critical support structures covering team travel logistics, scheduling alignment, technical staff collaboration, and league compliance coordination, reinforcing a seamless connection between sporting objectives and administrative execution.
He maintained stability, strategic organisation, and institutional discipline throughout the club’s challenging NPFL debut campaign, where administrative resilience became essential in navigating intense competition, performance pressure, and relegation threats.
And finally he sustained the club’s operational balance by protecting its structure, focus, and unity, proving that effective football administration is not only measured in moments of success, but also in the ability to remain steady, organised, and committed during the toughest phases of competition.
For all these, Ibrahim Canji is voted as our Sports administrator of the year 2025.
Coach Rabiu Tata
Coach Rabiu Tata (TA), the respected Technical Adviser of Barau Football Club, Kano, who has also served the club in the capacities of Head Coach and Assistant Head Coach, has been overwhelmingly voted as our 2025 Best Coach of the Year.
His nomination and eventual selection were driven by strong community consensus, rooted in his technical competence, tactical insight, player mentorship, and sustained commitment to team development.
Across the nomination responses, Coach Tata was consistently recognized for his ability to blend discipline with motivation, structure with flexibility, and strategy with player-centered coaching qualities that shaped Barau FC’s identity throughout its competitive journey.
During his tenure, Coach Tata provided sound technical guidance and tactical leadership, contributing directly to the club’s promotion ambitions.
Worked closely across coaching roles to ensure continuity, team cohesion, and progressive performance development.
And demonstrated a coaching philosophy built on player improvement, collective responsibility, and competitive resilience.
He also maintained professionalism, morale, and technical organisation even during the club’s demanding NPFL debut season.
His impact went beyond match results but influencing young player mentality, sharpening technical delivery, and strengthening the club’s long-term sporting foundation.
Coach Rabiu Tata (TA) played a transformative role in the success and development of Barau Football Club, Kano.
He implemented effective tactical systems and player development strategies that were instrumental in achieving the club’s historic promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), marking a landmark achievement in Kano State football.
Tata contributed significantly to grassroots talent identification and player grooming, creating pathways for young athletes across Kano State to develop their skills, gain exposure, and progress into professional football.
He led the technical effort to stabilise the team during its challenging NPFL debut season, ensuring that players remained motivated, strategies were executed effectively, and the club maintained operational and competitive balance despite intense league pressure.
And also combined technical expertise with mentorship, fostering a culture of discipline, resilience, and continuous improvement both on and off the pitch.
Coach Tata’s work highlights how visionary coaching extends beyond match-day tactics, embracing long-term player development, structural stability, and the nurturing of grassroots football talent.
This award celebrates a coach whose leadership inspired belief, whose methods built capacity, and whose dedication continues to uplift athletes and coaching standards within Kano’s football ecosystem.
Barrister Bashari Ahmed Maizare
Barrister Bashari Ahmed Maizare, Ph.D. has been recognized as our Veteran Sports Administrator of the Year 2025 in honor of his decades-long dedication to sports governance, youth development, and multi-sport administration.
Dr. Maizare’s contributions span national and grassroots levels, reflecting a career marked by leadership, mentorship, and organizational excellence.
Since leaving office, he has served in numerous strategic capacities, including:
- Resource Person / Facilitator, Kano State Higher Institutions Games Association (KASHIGA) Symposium.
- Secretary, Local Organizing Committee (LOC) – Proposed Maiden National U-19 Nigeria Independence Cup.
- Chairman (North-West Zone), NAPHER-SD.
- Trustee, Nigeria Tug of War Federation.
- Resource Person, Kano State Government Symposium for Kano Pillars FC Board.
- Secretary-General, Society for the Promotion of Sports (SPS).
- Secretary, One Nation Grassroots Sports Network & LOC, President’s National U-19 Football Cup.
- Resource Person, Kano Pillars Supporters Club Workshop.
- Resource Person, Northwest University Kano Sports Symposium.
- Merit Award Recipient, Class ’92 Festival, FOBA.
- Chairman / Coordinator, Association of Nigeria Retired Sports Men and Women (Kano Chapter).
- Member, Electoral Committee, Nigeria Cricket Federation.
- Chairman, Organising Committee, 1st National U-19 Handball Championship.
- Elected Northwest Zonal Representative, Karate Federation of Nigeria.
- Elected National Vice President, Karate Federation of Nigeria.
Dr. Maizare is widely regarded as a living encyclopedia of sports knowledge; his Kofar Wambai residence frequently serves as a hub where administrators, athletes, and enthusiasts seek guidance, mentorship, and resolution on sports-related issues.
His outstanding contributions have strengthened sports governance frameworks, fostered youth development, and advanced multi-sport administration across Kano State and Nigeria.
Through his dedication, professionalism, and personal investment in sports, Dr. Maizare has left an indelible mark on both grassroots initiatives and national-level sporting structures.
In fact, this platform has benefited and continues to benefit immensely from Dr. Maizare’s vast reservoir of knowledge.
His depth of insight, experience, and intellectual versatility have been invaluable to us. Whenever we encounter challenges, limitations, or subject areas beyond our expertise, Dr. Maizare is always our first point of consultation.
We have consistently reached out to him on matters where we feel constrained or professionally disadvantaged, and he has never hesitated to guide, clarify, and provide well-informed solutions.
His contributions have not only helped us overcome hurdles but have also strengthened the quality, credibility, and overall impact of our work.
His wealth of knowledge remains one of the key pillars supporting this platform’s growth, relevance, and continued success, and for this, we acknowledge him with deep respect and appreciation.
On behalf of this platform, I warmly congratulate all the awardees, as well as everyone who took the time and effort to set aside their personal commitments to participate in this historic event.
Your dedication, presence, and support have made this occasion truly memorable. I sincerely thank each and every one of you for being part of this celebration.
CONGRATULATIONS ALL
