May 31, (THEWILL) – Nigerian footballer Ademola Lookman met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his Lagos residence on Friday, continuing his thank-you tour following another successful season with Italian club Atalanta.
The visit, arranged through National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko, marked the first formal meeting between the CAF African Footballer of the Year winner and the Nigerian leader since Lookman claimed the continental honour in December 2024.
The 27-year-old forward returned to Lagos Island earlier this week, where community members and fans welcomed him with celebrations, music, and chants.
Carrying his CAF award, Lookman spent time reconnecting with his roots in the area where his football journey began.
His homecoming generated significant excitement among residents who gathered to celebrate one of Nigeria’s most successful international players.
The meeting with President Tinubu represented a significant moment for Nigerian football, bringing together the country’s political leadership and one of its most celebrated sporting figures.
President Tinubu previously acknowledged Lookman’s achievements through an official statement released in December 2024.
“These athletes embody the essential Nigerian spirit. They represent the best of us as a nation,” Tinubu stated, adding that such success should inspire future generations of African sportsmen and women.
The President also mentioned his hope that Nigerian athletes would continue winning medals both domestically and internationally.
Lookman’s 2024/2025 campaign with Atalanta included 31 Serie A appearances with 15 goals and five assists, plus seven UEFA Champions League matches yielding five goals and one assist.
The formal presidential meeting caps off what has been a remarkable period for the striker, cementing his position as one of Nigeria’s premier sporting ambassadors.
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.
