The Sports Hall of the National Institute of Sports, Lagos, erupted in celebration on Friday night as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) teams – Safety Shooters and Safety Babes, were crowned champions of the Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, following an elaborate finale graced by members of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) board and top executives of Ardova PLC.
The league sponsored by Ardova, started in Benin City with a first phase and ended in Lagos in what the Group Executive Chairman of Ardova, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, described as a fanfare and a delight to watch.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches.
Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant female side. No team has ever won five consecutive titles in the history of the Nigeria Handball Premier League
In the Men category, Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2. Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
Rima Strikers, who pushed the champions for much of the season, ended in second place with 52 points, despite losing 27–26 to Correction Boys in a tightly contested match.
COAS Shooters of the Nigeria Army, finished third with 51 points, closing the campaign with a fourth defeat but maintaining their place among the top sides.
Elsewhere in the final-day fixtures, De Defenders defeated Osun United 31–23, Niger United narrowly lost to Tojemarine Academy 27–28, while Benue Buffaloes were awarded a walkover win against Adamawa Warriors.
In the women’s category, Safety Babes sealed their fifth straight crown with a disciplined 27–24 (11–14) win over second-placed Rima Queens. Winning five peat consecutive titles is unprecedented in the history of handball in Nigeria.
Safety Babes ended the season with 13 wins from 14 matches, amassing 40 points and an impressive goal difference of +128 (486–358) as Rima Queens finished second with 31 points, while Omo Ogiefo Academy placed third with 32 points after a solid campaign.
Friday’s closing ceremony celebrated not only the league champions but also the growth and increasing professionalism in Nigerian handball.
The HFN President, Mr Jibril Saidu Ojih, in his speech, appealed to Ardova PLC to continue to partner and support the HFN in the sponsorship of the Premier League while the management of Ardova PLC promised that they will continue to do their part in the developmental goals of Handball in Nigeria
RESULTS OF DAY 11 FRIDAY
Men
1) De Defenders–Osun United 31–23 (13–13).
2) Correction Boys–Rima Strikers 27–26 (15–12).
3) Niger United–Tojemarine Academy 27–28 (11–17).
4) Benue Buffaloes–Adamawa Warriors 10–00 (W/O).
5) Safety Shooters–COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10).
Women
Rima Queens– Safety Babes 24–27 (14–11).
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