The Asisat Oshoala Academy took a bold step towards female empowerment on Children’s Day by hosting a transformative event for nearly 100 girls at Obele Secondary School, Surulere, Lagos. The initiative, part of the Academy’s Sports, Humanitarian, and Education (SHE) Project, aimed to equip girls with practical life skills beyond football.
Held on Tuesday, the event featured a wide array of sessions including Taekwondo self-defence classes, leadership development workshops led by the Youth Empowerment Foundation, CPR training, and personal hygiene education. The initiative targeted girls from local communities, focusing on personal growth, safety, and confidence-building.
Speaking on the choice of location, Alabi Kazeem, Head of Technical at the Asisat Oshoala Academy, said Surulere was intentionally selected due to its rich sporting heritage.
“Surulere is a sports city,” Kazeem noted. “That’s why we chose Obele Odan and Ideal High School—to ensure more girls benefit from what the SHE Project has mapped out for them.”
Kazeem also highlighted the Academy’s success in talent discovery.
“The 2025 Nigerian Women’s League MVP, Janet Akekeromowei of Nasarawa Amazons, was discovered at one of our events in Ikeja. She went on to become top scorer last season and has represented Nigeria at the U-17 and U-20 levels.”
Programme Coordinator Oluwaseun Savage elaborated on the Academy’s broader mission to help girls thrive in all aspects of life—not just sports.
“We want girls to explore beyond football. That’s why we included Taekwondo and hygiene education. A girl should know how to defend herself and take care of her well-being.”
Emzor Pharmaceuticals, a key partner of the initiative, hosted sessions on deworming and public health awareness, emphasizing the importance of health education. A representative from the company praised Oshoala’s legacy.
“Asisat is a role model to many rising female athletes in Nigeria. Supporting her foundation is a way to show we align with greatness and community impact.”
For the girls, the day was filled with learning and inspiration.
Yekini Eniola, a JSS3 student at Obele High School, said the event taught her life-saving skills which she hopes to share with others.
Lara Zainab from Ideal High School said she now feels inspired to be an agent of change within her family and community.
Now in its third year, the SHE Project has impacted girls across Ikorodu, Ibeju-Lekki, Epe, and Ikotun, nurturing leadership potential and uncovering hidden sporting talent. Organisers have revealed plans to expand the initiative to more densely populated areas in Lagos in the near future
