Former Senate President and ex-Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki, has praised the remarkable rise of Nigerian teenager Zadok Yohanna, describing his journey to the English Premier League as a powerful reminder of the opportunities that sports can create for young people.
Saraki made the remarks on Sunday following reports that Premier League side had completed the signing of the 18-year-old winger from Swedish club in a deal reportedly worth £21.5 million.
Reacting to the development, Saraki said Yohanna’s rise from northern Nigeria to one of the world’s most competitive football leagues underscores the vast untapped potential among Nigerian youths.
“When people ask me why I continue to believe in sports as a tool for youth development, stories like Zadok Yohanna’s provide the answer,” Saraki said in a post on his social media platforms.
The former Senate President reflected on the youngster’s inspiring journey, noting that Yohanna left his hometown in Bauchi at a young age to pursue his football dream in Kaduna before securing a move to Sweden less than a year ago.
According to him, the teenager’s latest transfer to Brighton demonstrates what can be achieved through talent, discipline, resilience and determination.
“A young man from northern Nigeria, armed with little more than his talent and commitment, has broken into one of the most competitive football markets in the world. It is a story that should inspire every young Nigerian,” he said.
Saraki stressed that Nigeria is blessed with abundant talent across different sectors, but many young people lack the opportunities and support structures needed to realise their full potential.
“This is why investing in young people remains critical. Not every child will become a professional footballer, but every child deserves the opportunity to develop their talent and pursue their dreams,” he added.
The former governor linked Yohanna’s success to the vision behind the establishment of the Kwara Football Academy and ABS FC, institutions he said were created to identify and nurture young football talents.
He noted that several players, including Dennis Emmanuel Bonaventure, Olusegun Olakunle, Benjamin Frederick, Mubarak Gata and David Okoromi, have benefited from similar developmental pathways and gone on to build successful football careers.
Saraki also urged football administrators and sports stakeholders to create an enabling environment for more academies across the country, arguing that such institutions remain vital for talent discovery and development.
He specifically called on the , the National Sports Commission and the National Institute for Sports to support initiatives aimed at identifying and nurturing the next generation of Nigerian football stars.
The former Senate President further encouraged young Nigerians facing difficult circumstances not to abandon their ambitions.
“Your present situation does not determine your future. Continue to work hard, stay focused and believe in your dreams,” he said.
Yohanna’s rise has been one of the most talked-about stories in African football in recent months. After moving from Nigeria to Sweden in 2025, the winger quickly established himself as one of the brightest young prospects in Scandinavian football, attracting interest from several European clubs.
Although clubs across Europe reportedly monitored his progress, Brighton eventually won the race for his signature. The teenager recently revealed that the club’s reputation for developing young players played a significant role in his decision to move to England.
Saraki concluded by congratulating Yohanna on his achievement while urging him to remain humble and focused as he begins the next chapter of his career.
“The world now recognises your talent, but this is only the beginning. Keep working hard, remain grounded and never forget where you came from,” he said.
For Yohanna, whose football journey has taken him from northern Nigeria to the Premier League in less than a year, the future appears full of promise.
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