Rasheedat Ajibade Foundation Sponsors 25 Aspiring Coaches for Professional Training at NIS Lagos

The Rasheedat Ajibade Foundation has sponsored 25 aspiring coaches for professional training at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Lagos, as part of its ongoing commitment to grassroots sports development and capacity building in Nigeria.

The beneficiaries were among over 230 students formally matriculated into various coaching and sports development programmes at the Institute on Thursday, April 16, 2026—marking a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen technical expertise and human capital within Nigeria’s sports sector.

Reacting to the matriculation ceremony from her base in Paris, France, founder of the Foundation and Super Falcons captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, said the initiative is aimed at empowering the next generation of coaches with the knowledge and tools required to drive Nigerian football and broader sports development.

“This initiative is about giving back to the game that has given me so much. By investing in coaching education, we are building a strong foundation for the future of Nigerian sports. These coaches will, in turn, shape the next generation of athletes,” Ajibade said.

“Talent alone is not enough; we need structure, knowledge, and proper guidance. Supporting these young coaches is one way to ensure that our sports ecosystem continues to grow in the right direction,” she added.

In his remarks, the Director-General of the NIS, Philip Shaibu, commended the Foundation for its visionary support, describing the initiative as a timely intervention in the development of sports education in Nigeria.

“We are proud to partner with initiatives like the Rasheedat Ajibade Foundation that are investing in human capacity development. Sponsorship of coaches at this level is critical to improving the quality of sports administration and technical development in the country,” Shaibu said.

Two of the sponsored beneficiaries, Gbadebo Oluwasheyi Jane, an ex-footballer, and Agboola Adeola Sikiru, an accountant, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, describing it as life-changing and a major step toward achieving their career goals.

“This opportunity means everything to me. Becoming a certified coach has always been my dream, and I am grateful to the Rasheedat Ajibade Foundation for believing in us and making this possible,” Gbadebo said.

“We are not just gaining knowledge; we are gaining the capacity to impact lives and communities through sports. I am determined to make the most of this opportunity,” Agboola added.

This latest sponsorship initiative follows the Foundation’s earlier Back-to-School projects, which included sponsoring 100 students for the 2026 WAEC examinations, 48 students for 2026 JAMB registration, and five students for professional certification programmes valued at approximately ₦5 million per student.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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