Adewale Oshokoya, Project Director of the Femi Gbajabiamila Football Academy, has expressed excitement following his academy’s seven –three victory in a friendly match against Fortune FC.
Speaking with Sports247, Oshokoya revealed that the game was not just a warm-up match, but also a critical preparatory step for an upcoming international competition backed by Bayern Munich Football Club of Germany.
Proudly sponsored by Hon. Desmond Olusola-Elliot of the Lagos State House of Assembly (Surulere Constituency 1), the academy was born from a secondary school football competition held in Surulere last year, hosted by Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. That event was part of a broader campaign to combat social vices among young people through the power of sport.
“The concept came from Hon. Desmond Olusola-Elliot,” Oshokoya explained. “We organized a football competition across schools in Surulere hosted by Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila to raise awareness about social vices—drug abuse, thuggery, cultism. It was a tool to engage the kids positively and send a strong message. The Femi Gbaja FA emerged from that initiative.”
Following the success of the tournament, standout players were selected and grouped into the Femi Gbaja football academy to further develop their talents. According to Oshokoya, the plan is to ensure continuity—not just on the pitch but also in character building. “Football is just a tool. The bigger goal is youth development and social reform. We want to raise responsible young citizens who are useful to society,” he said.
The friendly against Fortune FC also served as a litmus test for the academy’s readiness to compete at a higher level, especially with the Bayern Munich competition just days away. “This match was a dress rehearsal,” Oshokoya noted. “Bayern Munich is sending scouts and coaching staff to Nigeria. This is huge—not just for the academy, but for the kids who have gone from local school competitions to potentially representing Nigeria on a global platform.”
Aside from developing football skills, the Femi Gbaja football academy continues to engage the children in value-driven programs. Oshokoya emphasized the importance of consistency in mentorship, adding that the competition that birthed the academy will return later this year to discover new talents and prevent a relapse into idleness.
“An idle mind is the devil’s workshop,” he said. “We want to keep these kids active, focused, and inspired—off the streets and on a path to a better future. We’re grateful to Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila for his unwavering support and to all who believe in this mission.”
With grassroots development, mentorship, and international exposure on its agenda, the Femi Gbajabiamila Football Academy is proving that football can be more than a game—it can be a life-changing platform.
