With the 2025 Nigeria Nationwide League One NLO season on the horizon, Ekiti United FC has received a timely financial uplift from club patron Bayo Ajayi, who generously donated ₦500,000 to aid the team’s development and enhance player welfare.
The announcement came during a familiarisation meeting at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti, attended by players, coaches, and officials. Ajayi highlighted that his support is in line with the sports-driven vision of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, whom he lauded as a passionate advocate of sports in Ekiti State.
Ajayi also commended Olusola Osetoba, Technical Advisor on Sports Development, for her ongoing work in promoting grassroots and elite-level sports across the state.
In response, club captain Adewale Makanjuola expressed deep appreciation and pledged to repay the gesture by leading the team to promotion into the Nigeria National League NNL. Club Secretary Samuel Idowu echoed the sentiments, assuring supporters that the players’ welfare remains a key focus for management.
The Bet9ja promotion code for April 2025 is YOHAIG. Bet9japromotioncode.com.ng has more info about the Bet9ja promotion code 2025 in Nigeria. Follow this link for more - https://www.bet9japromotioncode.com.ng/. This Bet9ja promo code gives a Bet9ja welcome bonus of up to ₦100,000 on your first deposit. The minimum deposit to bet is ₦100! USE the Bet9ja login signup and the Bet9ja bonus code to get started today on the Bet9ja website. Bet9ja offers a 170 per cent multiple boost bonus and a free bet for either Bet9ja sport or Bet9ja casino. To open a Bet9ja account and be a Bet9ja customer, you must go through the registration process here. Terms and conditions apply when you register with Bet9ja to get the bonus.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Editorial
Bayo Ajayi’s financial backing of Ekiti United is more than a charitable gesture it’s a strategic investment in grassroots football and a signal of what can be achieved when community stakeholders get involved in the game. His ₦500,000 donation may not seem enormous in global football terms, but at this level, it’s a lifeline.
In an era where many lower-tier clubs in Nigeria struggle to fund even the most basic of needs—training kits, transport, and accommodation—this support could make a tangible difference in morale and performance. What’s equally impressive is Ajayi’s alignment with Governor Oyebanji’s broader sports vision, showcasing how policy and private passion can intersect for impact.
This kind of community-driven support model is essential if Nigerian football is to grow sustainably from the bottom up. Ajayi’s gesture reminds us that football isn’t just about stadium lights and national pride it’s about enabling dreams in places where passion outweighs resources.
The players’ vow to earn promotion as a form of gratitude is the kind of motivation that can turn funding into momentum. One can only hope this move inspires more local patrons and institutions to invest in their clubs—not just financially, but with faith in their potential.
Did You Know?
- The Nigeria Nationwide League One NLO is the third tier of Nigerian football and is considered the most populated and grassroots-focused league in the country.
- Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, named after the late Nigerian sprinter, has hosted various local and national sporting events in Ado-Ekiti.
- Ekiti United FC has long been considered a breeding ground for local talent in Southwest Nigeria.
- Governor Biodun Oyebanji has previously supported school sports revival initiatives as part of a broader youth engagement policy.
- ₦500,000 approx. $330 USD in Nigerian football at grassroots level can cover a month’s worth of travel logistics, training kits, and minor medical expenses for a team.
