Hon. Akin Alabi, Member of the House of Representatives representing Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency, has officially introduced Ibadan United Football Club, a new football project aimed at nurturing young talents and creating opportunities for aspiring footballers across Oyo State.
A passionate football enthusiast, Alabi revealed that his love for the sport dates back to childhood. For more than four decades, he has remained a devoted supporter of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), one of Nigeria’s most historic football institutions. His commitment to the Oluyole Warriors goes beyond fandom, as he previously sponsored the club during a period of its development.
Despite his long-standing loyalty to Shooting Stars, Alabi explained that he had always harboured the dream of owning a football club. However, he was initially reluctant to establish a club in Ibadan because he did not want to create a team that would compete directly against the club he had passionately supported for most of his life.
About five years ago, that dream began to take shape when he partnered with a friend, Biola Kazeem, in Lagos. Together, they founded Lekki United Football Club, a team based in Lagos that competed in the Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO), the third tier of the Nigerian football league system.
The project quickly gained momentum. According to Alabi, within approximately two years of operations, the club began attracting attention from European football scouts who identified several promising players within the team. Interest from foreign clubs and talent recruiters soon followed, opening doors for young footballers to pursue professional careers abroad.
That development, Alabi said, became a turning point.
Rather than seeing those opportunities benefit only players from outside his immediate constituency, he began to reflect on how the same platform could be used to empower young people from Egbeda, Ona-Ara, Ibadan, and Oyo State as a whole.
The realization inspired a major decision: the relocation and rebranding of Lekki United into what is now known as Ibadan United Football Club.
Addressing concerns about the new club potentially competing with Shooting Stars in the future, Alabi maintained that there is no conflict between the two institutions. Instead, he believes Ibadan United can complement and strengthen the football ecosystem in Oyo State.
According to him, the club is envisioned as a developmental platform that can serve as a talent pipeline for Shooting Stars and other professional clubs, both within Nigeria and internationally. By identifying, training, and exposing gifted young players to higher levels of competition, Ibadan United hopes to become a stepping stone for future football stars.
The initiative also aligns with growing efforts across Nigeria to use football as a tool for youth development, employment creation, and social empowerment. With thousands of talented young players seeking opportunities to showcase their abilities, grassroots football clubs have increasingly become vital channels for talent discovery and career advancement.
Now officially based in Ibadan, Ibadan United FC will continue to compete in the Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO), widely regarded as one of the key developmental leagues in Nigerian football. The club's mission is not only to compete but also to provide a structured pathway for talented footballers to achieve their dreams of playing professionally.
For Alabi, the launch of Ibadan United represents more than the creation of a football club. It is the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition and a commitment to investing in the future of young people across Oyo State.
As the club begins its journey, supporters and football enthusiasts will be watching closely to see how Ibadan United contributes to the growth of grassroots football and the emergence of the next generation of football stars.
With the foundation now laid, Alabi believes that the people of Ibadan and Oyo State can build something historic together through the beautiful game.Suggested Headline:
Akin Alabi Launches Ibadan United FC, Bringing Professional Football Opportunities Home to Oyo State
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