A renewed push for grassroots sports development in Nigeria is taking shape as FirstBank of Nigeria lends its support to the maiden edition of the Samuel Okwaraji Under-16 Football Championship—an initiative designed to honour the enduring legacy of Samuel Okwaraji, one of the country’s most revered football icons remembered for his patriotism, discipline, and unwavering commitment to national service.

The nationwide tournament is set to bring together secondary school teams from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in a two-phase competition structure. Zonal qualifiers will first be held across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, after which the top-performing teams will advance to a grand national final in Abuja, where 12 teams will compete for ultimate honours. Beyond football, the championship is designed as a holistic youth engagement platform, incorporating cultural showcases, memorial lectures, and talent identification opportunities led by national team scouts.

The initiative reflects a broader vision of using sport as a vehicle for youth empowerment and national cohesion. According to Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Olusegun Alebiosu, football remains a powerful force for unity across Nigeria’s diverse communities. He noted that the Bank’s involvement represents a deliberate investment in grassroots football, aimed at nurturing young talents and providing them with the tools to develop into future national icons.

“Football is the strongest unifier of Nigerians. It brings communities together, inspires discipline, and nurtures talents across the country. FirstBank is making a deliberate incursion into grassroots football development with this sponsorship, creating an enabling environment for the next generation of Samuel Okwarajis to discover, refine, and maximise their potential, thereby shaping the future of Nigerian football.”

Further endorsement came from Osita Izunaso, Chairman of the Championship Organising Committee, who praised FirstBank’s commitment to nation-building through sports. He highlighted the Bank’s longstanding legacy, noting that its contribution to the championship demonstrates how corporate institutions can play a vital role in fostering youth development and supporting education through sporting initiatives.

“FirstBank’s legacy predates modern Nigerian football. The bank has once again shown that true corporate leadership lies in nation building. We thank FirstBank for their participation in this championship and we hope that other corporates will take a leaf and provide an enabling environment for young ones to thrive in education through sports.”


FirstBank’s involvement in the tournament is an extension of its broader First@Sports programme, through which it has consistently supported athletic development across Nigeria. The Bank owns and manages the Elephant Boys Football Team, currently competing in the Nigerian National League, as well as the FirstBank Basketball Club, popularly known as the “Elephant Girls.”

Over the years, FirstBank has also backed several major sporting events, including the National Sports Festival, the South-West Youth Games, and long-standing competitions such as the Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship, the Lagos Amateur Golf Open Championship, and the Georgian Polo Cup—demonstrating a sustained commitment to sports development spanning decades.

By sponsoring the Samuel Okwaraji U-16 Championship, FirstBank reinforces its role as a key driver of youth empowerment, community development, and national unity, while helping to shape the next generation of Nigerian football talent.