Newly crowned 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Remo Stars, will officially be presented with the league title on Sunday, May 11. The coronation ceremony will take place after their final home game of the season against Southwest rivals Ikorodu City, as confirmed by the league board.
Remo Stars secured their historic first-ever NPFL title with three matches to spare on Sunday, sparking jubilant scenes in Ikenne with a late 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes on matchday 35. Substitute Olamilekan Adedayo once again proved to be the hero, scoring a stunning late goal to clinch the championship after the visitors had held them at bay for 83 minutes.
With three games still remaining this season, Remo Stars will play their last home fixture against Ikorodu City on matchday 37, providing a perfect opportunity for their fans to join in a second round of title celebrations during the Southwest derby.
NPFL Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, confirmed the coronation plans during a radio interview, stating, “We have three more matches to go, and we have a champion already. We have an agreement that they will be crowned in their last home game against Ikorodu City. They want to be in a mood where they would be really prepared for it. The Remo Stars people are ready to give us a good show, having done so well. They won more matches away than any other club. They really prepared for this season, and that gave them the victory.”
Before the title presentation, Remo Stars will travel to face El-Kanemi Warriors on matchday 36 next Wednesday, and their final game of the season will be away against Bayelsa United on May 18.
Elegbeleye also highlighted the league’s alignment with international football calendars to benefit players seeking off-season trials abroad.
“What we have done is to stick with the calendar of the whole world. We want to match Europe so that our players who really want to go for trials during the off-season will be able to, without looking like they absconded from their clubs. When they go, the teams will be able to get replacements easily,” he added.
For their championship-winning feat, Remo Stars will also receive a substantial sum of N200 million, marking a significant 33.3 per cent increase from the N150 million prize money awarded last season.
“We promised when we started three years ago that we would pay the winner N100m and we did. Last season, we paid N150m and this season we said we are going to pay N200m and we are going to do that. We want to be going up geometrically. The more we improve, the more marketable the league becomes,” Elegbeleye explained.
With an unassailable 10-point lead and 68 points, Remo Stars have enjoyed a dominant season. Their triumph also marks them as the first club from the Southwest to win the Nigerian topflight title since Julius Berger’s victory back in 2000.
