By: Monsurah Olatunji
Nigeria international Alex Iwobi has opened up about the valuable lessons he learned from his maternal uncle, the legendary Jay-Jay Okocha, and how they shaped both his football career and personal life.
While some may view Iwobi as a “nepo kid” who benefited from his uncle’s influence, the 28-year-old’s talent and development on the pitch are undeniable.
This season, Iwobi has been in exceptional form in the Premier League, recording five goals and three assists in 16 appearances—his best tally at this stage since his debut in the competition.
Alongside football, Iwobi has also pursued a passion for music, particularly rap. In an interview with The Telegraph, he explained how the guidance and inspiration from Okocha have helped him balance his career choices and express himself confidently both on and off the pitch.
“Uncle Jay-Jay always told me to express myself and play with a smile on my face,” Iwobi shared, emphasizing how his uncle’s approach to the game helped him thrive.
“The younger Iwobi noted that this mindset was especially valuable when playing under coaches like Sam Allardyce, who wasn’t known for nurturing creative flair—something that both he and Okocha are known for.
“It showed me that being myself, being who you are, you get accepted,” Iwobi added.
Okocha’s influence on Iwobi is clear, guiding him to stay true to his style, face challenges with confidence, and continue to excel in both football and his other passions.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career 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.
