Makanjuola Nureni receiving the Distinguished Service Award with SWAN officials
By Aderonke Ojo
Makanjuola Nureni, a renowned football administrator and philanthropist, has been honoured with the Distinguished Service Award by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in recognition of his outstanding support to sports journalism and his immense contributions to sports development in Nigeria.
Water FC Academy players with Makanjuola Nureni ,some of the players he has sponsored
The award was presented during SWAN’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Abuja, marking 60 years of promoting sports journalism and excellence.
“This award gives me hope and motivation to do more,” Nureni said, expressing his gratitude.
Nureni is the founder and owner of Water FC Academy, a football institution that focuses on discovering, nurturing, and empowering young Nigerian talents.
“ This Award Gives Me Hope” – Makanjuola Nureni Honoured for His Dedication to Nigerian Sports
Picture of Makanjuola Nureni with SWAN officials
The prestigious award was presented on Friday in Abuja during SWAN’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration held in Abuja, marking 60 years of promoting sports journalism and excellence across the nation.
Expressing his gratitude after receiving the honour, Makanjuola Nureni described the award as a source of inspiration and renewed motivation to continue his lifelong commitment to youth and grassroots sports.
“This award gives me hope and motivation to do more. It’s a source of inspiration to me and my supporters, and I believe it will encourage us to invest more in youth sports development in Nigeria,”* he said.
Makanjuola Nureni is the founder and owner of Water FC Academy, a renowned football institution based in Abuja that focuses on discovering, nurturing, and empowering young Nigerian talents. Through Water FC, he has developed and sponsored numerous players who have gone on to represent Nigeria’s national teams and play professionally in clubs across Africa, Europe, and beyond.
In presenting the award, SWAN commended Nureni’s unwavering dedication to the growth of sports and his continuous support for sports journalism and youth empowerment.
The association highlighted his decades-long service to football development and described him as a true partner in the promotion of excellence within Nigeria
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With this honour, Makanjuola Nureni further cements his legacy as one of the foremost private contributors to sports growth and youth development in Nigeria.
His story continues to inspire a new generation of sports administrators and philanthropists dedicated to transforming Nigerian sports from the grassroots up.
The award was presented during SWAN’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Abuja, marking 60 years of promoting sports journalism and excellence.
The two-day event, which began on Oct. 30, concluded at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. 
SWAN also honoured notable sports leaders, including former Minister of Sport and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, Chairman of Nigeria Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko and DG NSC, Bukola Olopade.
Others were the DG National Institute of Sports, Philip Shaibu, Silas Agara, President of Nigeria Golf Federation, Olusegun Runsewe, to mention a few.
The Diamond Jubilee celebration, themed “The Power of Sports Media: Honouring Its Legacy, Shaping the Future,” featured lectures, awards, and discussions.