Nigeria pledges support for youth empowerment through sports academy

The Nigerian Ministry of Youth Development has announced its backing for the Onyeka Ikenga Football Academy, a new initiative focused on identifying and developing young football talent across the country. Minister Ayodele Olawande, represented by his Special Adviser on Public Engagement, Omoleye Adedoyin, lauded the academy during the unveiling of its Under-17 team in Abuja.

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Being here today is an opportunity for me. Being right here shows that there are people who are committed to football and sports, and we want our young children to grow and be proud of us.

Olawande emphasized the government's dedication to supporting programs that empower Nigerian youth through sports. "This is a platform where talents can be identified," he stated, adding that the academy serves as a crucial stepping stone for aspiring players. The minister assured that the government would continue to champion initiatives that create opportunities for young Nigerians.

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This is a platform where talents can be identified. There are also many young people who are willing to do more. From here, it is a stepping stone for them to go higher and put into practice whatever they have learned.

The academy was established in July 2023, inspired by the late Onyeka Ikenga's passion for football and her belief in its power to empower young people. The unveiling of the Under-17 team coincided with Onyeka's posthumous birthday, a deliberate choice to honor her legacy. "Onyeka Ikenga was a very good football lover. In fact, she was the visionary behind this project because she started the academy before she passed away," said the Chairperson of the football club, Ngozi Ikenga.

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I am proud of this organisation because I know that, by God’s grace, some of the products of this academy will end up at the Super Eagles level, and one day they will turn around to become stars of this world.

Moses Ebute, SAN, Chairman of the occasion, expressed optimism that the academy would produce players capable of representing Nigeria at the highest level. He urged the young athletes to remain disciplined and committed, highlighting the potential for them to become future stars. The academy's commitment to development is underscored by its plan to make its football development program an annual event, with one Under-17 player already earning a chance to train with a club in Saudi Arabia.

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Onyeka Ikenga was a very good football lover. In fact, she was the visionary behind this project because she started the academy before she passed away.