FirstBank Backs Samuel Okwaraji U-16 Championship, Advances Grassroots Football, Education
By Rashidat Olushola Okunlade
FirstBank has announced its sponsorship of the maiden edition of the Samuel Okwaraji Under-16 Football Championship, a nationwide youth tournament designed to promote grassroots football development while reinforcing the role of education through school sports.
The competition, organised in honour of late Nigerian football icon Samuel Okwaraji, will feature participation from secondary schools across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). It is structured as a two-phase event, beginning with zonal eliminations across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, followed by a grand national finale in Abuja involving the top 12 teams.
Beyond football, the championship is expected to deliver broader social value through a mix of cultural showcases, memorial lectures, and talent discovery sessions led by national team coaches, creating a holistic platform for youth engagement and development.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Olusegun Alebiosu, described the initiative as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future through sports. He noted that football remains a powerful unifying force capable of fostering discipline, national cohesion, and youth empowerment.
According to him, the Bank’s involvement signals a deliberate push into grassroots football, aimed at identifying and nurturing young talents while providing opportunities for them to realise their full potential.
Chairman of the Championship Organising Committee, Osita Izunaso, commended FirstBank’s commitment, describing the sponsorship as a reflection of corporate responsibility and nation-building. He highlighted the Bank’s longstanding legacy in supporting sports development and urged other corporate organisations to emulate such investments in youth-focused initiatives.
The sponsorship aligns with FirstBank’s broader sports development drive under its First@Sports initiative. The Bank has maintained a consistent presence in Nigeria’s sporting landscape through ownership and support of teams such as the Elephant Boys Football Team and the FirstBank Basketball Club, popularly known as the “Elephant Girls.”
Over the years, the institution has also backed several major sporting events, including the National Sports Festival, South-West Youth Games, Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship, Lagos Amateur Golf Open Championship, and the Georgian Polo Cup.
Industry observers note that the Bank’s support for the Samuel Okwaraji U-16 Championship reinforces its commitment to youth empowerment, national unity, and community development, while positioning sports as a viable pathway for education and talent advancement in Nigeria.
