When people hear “Asisat Oshoala Academy,” many think of football—and rightly so.
After all, it’s a place where raw talent is nurtured, and dreams of playing at the highest level take root. But from the very beginning, this Academy was meant to be so much more.
Narrating her experience so far with the Academy, the Nigerian Super Falcon superstar, said, “When I started the Asisat Oshoala Academy with the support of Nike and Women WIn, it wasn’t just about creating a place to train the next generation of female footballers.
Of course, that’s a big part of it, and seeing the girls’ skills develop is incredible.
But it was always about something bigger: giving girls the same opportunities I fought for, the chance to believe in themselves, and the tools to build their own futures.
Looking back at our second year, I’m filled with pride. We’ve created a structured program that goes beyond the pitch.
We’re not just teaching football; we’re providing life skills education, creating a safe space, and fostering a sense of community.
Think about this: we had girls who, at the beginning, were hesitant to speak up. Now, they’re confidently sharing their ideas and supporting each other.
We’ve seen girls gain a deeper understanding of their rights and learn how to protect themselves.
We have seen girls go from just playing on the streets of Lagos, to representing Nigeria at international tournaments, including the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup!
That’s the kind of change that goes beyond the final score of a game.
One story that really sticks with me is about the vocational skills training. We had five players who got scholarships, and now they’re professionals in fields like fashion design and hairdressing.
Football can open doors, but it’s crucial to equip these young women with options and skills that set them up for life, whether or not they continue to play.
We’ve also been working hard to reach more girls through our community outreach events.
It’s been amazing to see the excitement when we bring sports and life skills education directly to communities.
We had girls trying volleyball, basketball, and even table tennis for the first time! And we’re talking about essential stuff – personal hygiene, first aid, and even how to stay safe from drug abuse.
Of course, it hasn’t always been easy. We’ve faced challenges, like navigating bureaucracy to get access to school grounds and dealing with managing resources.
But we’re learning and growing. We’re building stronger relationships with the government, improving our scouting to find the best talent, and making sure our team is well-trained and supported.
We have even ensured compliance with global standards for safeguarding, and our partners have been very supportive in helping to boost internal competence with this.
This is why I cannot overemphasize the support we’ve received. Nike and Women Win have been incredible partners.
It’s not just about the funding and gear (though that helps a lot!); it’s about their expertise and guidance in areas like strategic planning and safeguarding.
They’ve even connected us with other funding opportunities! To them, I say a big thank you. My dream is that the Academy can be a model, a blueprint for others who want to empower girls in Nigeria and beyond.
Imagine if we could replicate this holistic approach in other communities, in other sports, in other sectors!So, how can you be part of this? There are so many ways:
Support: Whether it’s through donations, sponsorships, or in-kind contributions, your support can directly impact the lives of these girls.
Volunteer: Share your skills and expertise. We need coaches, mentors, and professionals who can lead workshops and provide guidance.
Advocate: Help us raise awareness about the importance of girl-child empowerment and the role of sports and education.
Partner: If you’re an organization or institution aligned with our mission, let’s explore ways to collaborate and scale our impact.
The Asisat Oshoala Academy’s report card shows what’s possible. But this is just the beginning. Let’s work together to create a future where every Nigerian girl has the opportunity to shine
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