On Monday, June 19, Rasheedat Ajibade, a talented Atlético de Madrid Femenino forward and Super Falcons striker showed how much she is committed to her community, Mushin and grassroots football. The 23-year-old generously donated football boots and gear to the community, empowering young girls with the necessary resources to pursue their dreams.
Ajibade dedicated an entire year to collecting football boots from her former and current teammates, ensuring that each pair carries the essence of the game and the indomitable spirit that football embodies. She gathered gear from prominent players like Ludmila Silva, Hedvig Lindahl, and Virginia Torrecilla to help girls in her community.
Having grown up in the same community, Ajibade understands the transformative power of football and aims to support the next generation of talented footballers who may struggle to afford necessary equipment.
In the same spirit of charity, Arsenal and England striker Bukayo Saka visited Nigeria to reach out to beneficiaries of his philanthropy. Saka has been actively engaged with the charity organisation BigShoe, providing financial support to underprivileged children in need of medical treatment. Together with BigShoe, Saka has funded life-changing operations for children suffering from hernias and brain tumours in Nigeria.
Saka’s visit to Nigeria demonstrates his commitment to philanthropy and making a difference in the country. By dedicating his time and resources to charity work, he has shown his dedication to ensuring that children receive the medical assistance they require for a better and healthier future.
Nigeria boasts a proud tradition of producing exceptional sportsmen and women who have achieved remarkable success in their fields and have also dedicated themselves to making a positive impact on society. These individuals have gone beyond their sporting achievements and established foundations and charities, providing scholarships, healthcare, infrastructure, and support to the less privileged.
Ahmed Musa, Nigeria’s most-capped footballer and captain of the Super Eagles, is renowned for his commitment to education and community support. He has offered scholarships worth N1.6 billion to 100 students at Skyline University and regularly donates food, money, and essential items to the people of his region. In 2017, he opened a N500 million sports complex in Kano, providing the residents with a world-class recreational space.
Odion Ighalo, the former striker for Watford, Manchester United, and Al Hilal, has established the Ighalo Orphanage Home in Lagos. Inspired by his own challenging upbringing, Ighalo invested approximately $1.4 million in creating a safe and nurturing environment for orphaned children. The home provides academic education and sports training, empowering children to overcome their circumstances.
Obafemi Martins, a celebrated Nigerian football star, has made significant philanthropic contributions to improve the quality of life for underprivileged individuals. He has supported healthcare initiatives, constructed clinics, donated medical supplies, and provided scholarships for Nigerian students. In 2012, he donated N5 million to support the construction of a Primary Health Care facility in his hometown.
Paul Onuachu, current Southampton striker, addressed a long-standing issue in his home village by providing a 45KVA transformer, bringing light to the community and significantly improving their quality of life.
Moses Simon, a winger for Nantes, has drilled boreholes to provide clean water to communities in need and has donated clothes, food, drugs, and funds to support healthcare initiatives.
Sunday Stephen, a former Spain U20 striker, focuses on empowering kids for a better future through the Mirian and Stephen Charitable Trust. The trust assists homeless children, finds them shelter, and places them with loving families.
Joseph Yobo, the former captain of the Super Eagles and Everton defender, has been actively involved in supporting education and youth development in Nigeria. In the pursuit of these goals, he launched the Joseph Yobo Charity Foundation, focusing on promoting education, youth empowerment, and talent development.
The foundation, established in 2007, provides scholarships to deserving students, organises football clinics, and scouts talented individuals, nurturing their potential both on and off the field.
Mikel Obi, one of Nigeria’s most decorated players and former Chelsea midfielder, has made significant contributions to healthcare and education. In 2017, he established the Mikel Obi Foundation, which aims to provide medical support to underprivileged children with critical health conditions. Through this foundation, surgeries, treatments, and rehabilitation are sponsored to ensure that children in need receive essential care.
Mikel Obi has also been actively involved in initiatives such as the World Food Programme and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, he has built schools in rural areas and provided scholarships to empower young individuals. His philanthropic efforts continue to create a positive impact in Nigeria since the establishment of his foundation. During the 2018 outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus, Obi donated approximately N1 million to support the Red Cross Society in its fight against the disease.
Efe Ambrose, a highly regarded footballer, has generously contributed to his community, particularly in Delta State. In 2015, Ambrose donated to support the fight against the Ebola virus and has continued to support various schools and hospitals in the state, including the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, and the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba. He has actively supported football development in the region by sponsoring tournaments and contributing to the construction of a football field in his hometown of Warri. These initiatives have had a transformative effect on the community since their inception.
Nwankwo Kanu, a retired footballer and founder of the Kanu Heart Foundation (KHF), remains one of Nigeria’s most celebrated athletes. Inspired by his personal experience with a heart condition, he established the KHF in the year 2000 to provide free heart surgeries and essential treatment to children with cardiac problems in Nigeria and across Africa. The foundation has facilitated approximately 500 successful heart surgeries, boasting an impressive success rate. Kanu’s dedication to saving young lives and providing comprehensive cardiac care has earned him global recognition as a philanthropic icon. In addition to healthcare, Kanu has also made significant contributions to education and rehabilitation through the Kanu Hope Foundation and the Kanu Charity Foundation. He established the Kanu Nwankwo Football Academy in 2019, which has played a vital role in nurturing young football talents in Nigeria.
Asisat Oshoala, Africa’s best female footballer and Barcelona forward, has dedicated her efforts to empowering young girls through education and sports. In 2002, she founded the Asisat Oshoala Academy in Lagos, with the primary goal of providing access to education and sports for young girls in her community.
The academy offers football training and life skills education to selected girls between the ages of 12 and 18. Oshoala’s commitment to empowering the girl child has had a significant impact on her community, uncovering talents and providing opportunities for young girls to excel. Additionally, she actively engages as a cancer awareness activist, using her platform, Asisat Oshoala Foundation, which she established in 2019 to raise awareness about the disease among women. Oshoala launched the Foundation to focus on empowering girl footballers in Africa. It hosts the annual Asisat Oshoala Foundation Football4girls tournament in Lagos where many Nigerians discovered the talents of Ajibade. The Atletico forward won the Most Valuable Player at the 2017 edition of the Football4Girls and she went on to represent Nigeria twice at the U17 and U20 levels.
Offiong Edem, a renowned table tennis player, is passionate about empowering women through sports and education. In 2016, she established the Offiong Edem Foundation, which encourages young girls to participate in table tennis and provides training programs, workshops, and tournaments. The foundation also offers scholarships and financial support to talented individuals, aiming to break societal barriers and uplift women through sports and education. Edem’s commitment to transforming lives has made a significant impact on young girls and the sports community since the inception of her foundation.
Chioma Ajunwa-Opara, Nigeria’s trailblazing athlete and Olympic gold medalist, has been nurturing emerging talents through the Chioma Ajunwa-Okpara Foundation. Established in 2017, the foundation identifies and supports young athletes across various sports disciplines, emphasising youth empowerment. Ajunwa-Opara also actively campaigns against the use of illegal drugs in sports, advocating for clean and fair competition. Her foundation’s initiatives have positively impacted the lives of young athletes, providing them with opportunities to pursue their sporting dreams and succeed in their chosen fields.
The philanthropic endeavours of Nigerian sports icons have far-reaching impacts on their communities. These individuals have leveraged their success and influence to address crucial social issues, including education, healthcare, infrastructure development, orphan support, and youth empowerment. Their selflessness and compassion serve as a shining example, inspiring future generations of sportsmen and women to follow suit. By giving back to their communities, these philanthropic icons have become catalysts for positive change, positively impacting countless lives. Through their foundations and charities, they have created a legacy that extends beyond their sporting achievements, leaving an indelible mark on Nigerian society.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
