Ibitoye honoured as FUBS Personality of the Year
Renowned sports journalist and former Super Eagles Media Officer, Oluwatoyin Ibitoye, has been officially decorated as the 2025 Family United by Sport (FUBS) Personality of the Year. The ceremony, held
Renowned sports journalist and former Super Eagles Media Officer, Oluwatoyin Ibitoye, has been officially decorated as the 2025 Family United by Sport (FUBS) Personality of the Year.
The ceremony, held Monday at HotSports Studios in Lagos, brought together a distinguished assembly of sports administrators, media veterans and stakeholders to celebrate Ibitoye’s contributions to the industry.
Dr. Kweku Tandoh, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, emphasized the prestige of the award, noting that the FUBS platform comprises over 300 high-level members, including former Sports Ministers and Federation Presidents.
"It was a highly competitive contest," Dr. Tandoh remarked. "Toyin met every rigorous criterion required to emerge as the FUBS Personality of the Year."
The event’s host and CEO of HotSports Limited, Mr. Taye Ige, shared a glowing tribute, describing Ibitoye as a professional worthy of the highest respect. "For Toyin, even though I am older, he is someone I would gladly stand up and offer my seat to," Ige stated.
The Chief Administrator of FUBS, Godwin Enakhena, used the platform to advocate for investigative integrity in sports journalism, urging reporters to judge administrators on their individual merits rather than through broad generalizations.
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In his acceptance speech, Ibitoye—accompanied by his wife, Tola—expressed humility at the win. He offered a poignant piece of advice to administrators and colleagues alike: “The person you may oppose today over a minor disagreement could be your greatest supporter on a much larger issue tomorrow. We must approach issues with an open mind."
Special appreciation was also extended to notable sports stakeholders, including Harry Iwuala, Pius Ayinor, Waidi Akanni, Charles Anazodo, Onyewuchi Nwachukwu and Ntiense Williams, who were at the event for their continued support of the initiative.
Alongside the commemorative plaque, Ibitoye received a ₦250,000 cash prize and a ValueJet return ticket to Abuja.
Ibitoye becomes the seventh winner of the prestigious award after late Dapo Sotuminu (2018); NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu (2019); late Abba Yola (2020); Chris Emeruwa (2021); Daniel Igali (2022); Liameed Gafar (2023); rested in 2024 in honour of Sotuminu, who passed on just as the election process began and Toyin Ibitoye (2025).
