Baltimore Ravens linebacker, Odafe Oweh, has empowered over 100 Nigerian youth through his American Football Camp initiative for the second consecutive year.
In a two-day football camp for over 100 youths, organised by the Oweh’s Foundation for Opportunity (OFFO), the NFL star says the vision aims to promote American football in Nigeria and inspire a new generation of athletes.
Speaking during his youth training camp held at the Elegbata Sports Complex. Lagos Island at the weekend, Oweh hinted that his motivation stems from a deep desire to give back to the people and provide life-changing opportunities for children — just as football transformed his own life.
“Football got me to college for free. It got me drafted in the first round and changed my life. Now, I want to offer Nigerian kids a chance to change theirs,” Oweh said
The football camp, which after a previous edition in Ajegunle, his father’s hometown, according to him.
Oweh added that he plans to introduce young Nigerians to American football and flag football, which was recently approved as an Olympic sport.
The initiative catered to both boys and girls between aged 8 to 18, with over 120 children made up of first-timers and children with prior exposure to the game.
Oweh highlighted the physical and mental attributes of Nigerians as key reasons for his belief in the country’s potential to thrive in American football.
“Nigerians are physically dominant. We are strong, fast, and smart. That’s why after I was drafted, my team started picking more Nigerians,” he stated. adding that many of his NFL teammates are also of Nigerian heritage.
Although American football remains a largely unfamiliar sport in Nigeria, Oweh is optimistic about its growing acceptance, noting the enthusiastic response from children and communities.
He opined that the sport could serve as a transformative tool, not just for athletic success, but for building discipline, purpose, and global exposure.
Oweh posited that the current edition of the camp has been more structured than last year’s, with plans in place to maintain contact with participants throughout the year, offering training regimens and possibly sponsoring select talents to attend NFL games in the U.S.
The NFL star was joined by two of his teammates from the Baltimore Ravens—David Ojabo and Nnamdi Madubuike—both of whom share Nigerian heritage.
Ojabo, a Nigerian-Scottish linebacker, expressed excitement about the level of raw talent on display, praising Oweh for creating a platform that empowers kids to pursue their dreams, while Madubuike lauded participant’s eagerness to learn and their ability to grasp complex concepts.
“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,” he said.
Madubuike said American football can really grow in Nigeria, noting that the participants can learn as they come to the camps having an interest in the game and as they grow in confidence, the interest will grow.
Coach Jordan Collins from the USA commended the participants’ work ethic saying, “All the kids are working so hard, you can tell that they love it and they’re embracing the coaching. It’s been an absolute pleasure.”
