French Embassy Collaborates with Simoiben Academy to Develop Grassroots Football in Nigeria

The French Embassy in Nigeria has embarked on a collaborative effort with Simoiben Football Academy, a grassroots football initiative in Nigeria. This partnership aims to foster the development of football talent from the grassroots level, with a particular focus on nurturing young aspiring footballers in the country.

Simoiben Football Academy, owned by Ibukun Simon, the wife of Super Eagles‘ prominent player Moses Simon, received a generous donation from the French Embassy in Nigeria. The donation included 10 balls for each participating team, a set of jerseys, and 30 pairs of boots for the seven teams involved in a scouting tournament held in Kaduna.

Notably, the scouting tournament featured teams from various regions, including a team from Taiwo Awoniyi‘s academy in Ilorin, showcasing the diverse pool of football talent across Nigeria.

The event, which concluded in Kaduna, attracted scouts from esteemed Ligue 1 clubs such as Nantes and Nimes, in addition to a prominent agent named Willy, who represents three teams in the French top-flight league.

Representatives from the French Embassy, including Ketty Regis, the cooperation attachee, were present at the tournament to witness the football talent on display. Ketty Regis highlighted the importance of utilizing sports, particularly football, as a tool for national development, aligning with France’s goals as the country gears up to host the Olympic Games in the future.

Moses Simon, the driving force behind the scouting tournament, expressed his gratitude towards the French Embassy for their support and commitment to promoting the advancement of young footballers in Africa. Simon reiterated the academy’s mission to empower aspiring African footballers in achieving their dreams of playing professional football.

Despite currently recovering from an injury that sidelined him from Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Simon’s dedication to nurturing football talent at the grassroots level remains unwavering.