Nigerian-born American football star Morotoluwa Ojomo, also known as Moro Ojomo, has announced plans to establish a sports academy in Nigeria aimed at empowering young athletes.
Ojomo, who recently won the 2025 Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles, arrived in Lagos on Wednesday with his parents and sister. He shared his vision for creating opportunities for Nigerian youth and nurturing the next generation of athletes.
In a meeting with Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, on Saturday in Abuja, Ojomo emphasized the importance of investing in the country’s youth for Nigeria’s future.
Beyond the academy, Ojomo also pledged to collaborate with local organizations to promote flag football in Nigeria, with the goal of qualifying teams for the 2028 Olympics.
“In the meeting, we proposed a plan to build an academy that not only supports Nigerian-born athletes abroad or Nigerian descendants visiting, but also empowers youth by providing the tools to strengthen and develop their skills,” Ojomo explained.
Although American football is not widely popular in Nigeria, Ojomo is committed to raising awareness and increasing participation. “There is a lot of work being done with the flag football team. Tryouts are happening in Lagos, as they aim to prepare for the 2028 Olympics,” he said.
Ojomo stressed the importance of providing young athletes with resources and platforms to grow, expressing confidence that Nigeria has the potential to emerge as a global sports leader.
Reflecting on his own journey, Ojomo credited his Nigerian roots for shaping the determination and perseverance that led to his Super Bowl success. “I would not be here without Nigeria. There’s a saying, ‘the grass isn’t greener where you go, it’s greener when you water it.’ We have the opportunity to water it,” he said.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa congratulated Ojomo on his Super Bowl victory and praised his commitment to uplifting Nigerian youth. She also announced that the Nigerian government would honor him for his achievements.
“We thank you for making us proud. You are passionate about Nigeria and dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young Nigerians. Home will always be home, no matter how much you excel abroad,” she said, inviting him to share his story at the upcoming Diaspora Day on July 25.
Born in Lagos in 2001 before moving to California at the age of seven, Ojomo played a pivotal role in the Eagles’ championship win. His victory places him among other Nigerian-born NFL champions, including C.J. Uzomah, Chukwuebuka Godrick, Chris Oladokun, and Charles Omenihu.
