The Elegbata Sports Complex in Lagos Island pulsed with energy this weekend as over 100 young Nigerians took part in the second edition of the Odafe Oweh Football Camp, a grassroots initiative to introduce American football to Nigerian youths and inspire the next generation of athletes.
Organised by the Oweh Foundation for Opportunity, the two-day camp marked its Lagos debut after a successful first edition elsewhere. It featured mentorship, technical drills, and inspirational talks led by Nigerian American NFL stars Odafe Oweh, David Ojabo, and Nnamdi Madubuike—all of the Baltimore Ravens.
Oweh, the first-round NFL draft pick and linebacker for the Ravens, said the project is his way of giving back to Nigeria and opening new doors for youth.
“It’s been a great two days. I am going to select kids that are showing promise, and that group of kids I will keep following so we can work on their development, and the love of the game is going to grow.
“They are showing good interest especially today that is raining, and they are all here, maintaining interest. Beyond football, we are also teaching them to compete in anything they do and have discipline.
“I came to Nigeria to do this because we have a lot of talent in the NFL, and I wanted to come back here right at the roots so we can train these kids and give them a chance to benefit themselves. Sports changed my life with me getting scholarship to college and I think these kids can have a chance too.”
The camp focused on children aged 13 and below, many already participating in the Flag Football program under the Nigeria American Football Association. With guidance from U.S.-based coaches like Jordan Collins, participants practiced offensive skills, defensive formations, and teamwork fundamentals—despite pouring rain.
David Ojabo, who was born in Lagos and raised in Scotland, said the experience was deeply personal. These guys have a lot of talent and enthusiasm; we just want them to have fun and learn. The real thing stems from hard work but as you work hard and have fun, the sky is the limit.”
“They can get a lot of inspiration from us; we were once kids like them and they can look at us and know it can be them too.
Defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike added that the camp could be a catalyst for long-term development. “We have taught them some intricacies of the game, and the kids are very responsive and attentive. They asked good questions, and I am here just to teach them how they can be better from what I was taught.
“I think American football can really grow in Nigeria, and I think these guys can learn as we come to the camps because they have interest in the game and as they grow in confidence, the interest will grow. This is a game that can change one’s life, he noted.