Ibadan Ex-Pro Footballers Unite to Revive Grassroots Football in Oyo State

Ibadan Ex-Pro Footballers Unite to Revive Grassroots Football in Oyo State

By Boluwaji Ogunmola  

 In a bid to restore Oyo State’s reputation as a breeding ground for top football talents, the Ibadan Ex-Professional Footballers Association has announced plans to return to grassroots development. Chairman of the association, Mr. Temitope Obideyi, revealed this during a recent interview, emphasizing the need to rediscover and nurture young talents across the state.  

Obideyi noted that while Oyo State was once a major producer of national team players, its influence has waned in recent years. To address this, ex-professional footballers from Ibadan, both home and abroad, have united to support youth development through football and education.  

“Coming together will help us discover and develop hidden talents across the state,” Obideyi said. “About 90% of talented players come from poor backgrounds, so we want to find them, nurture them, and support their football and educational careers.”  

The initiative will kick off with a novelty match between Ibadan Ex-Professional Footballers abroad and their counterparts at home on June 8, 2025. The event, is in patnership with the Oyo State Government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, as well as the Oyo State Football Association, will also serve as a platform for stakeholders to discuss the way forward for football development in the state.  

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Wasilat Adegoke, has been instrumental in facilitating the event since being briefed on the plans. Additionally, the association intends to organize a statewide secondary school football tournament to further scout and develop young talents.  

The event will feature notable ex-internationals, including Mutiu Adepoju, Duke Udi, Ike Shorunmu, Edith Agoye, Dimeji Lawal, Patrick Pascal, and Kabir Abubakar Zamora, who are all backing the initiative.  

According to Obideyi, the goal is to bring back the glory days of Oyo State football by investing in grassroots programs that will produce the next generation of stars for Nigeria.