Asisat Oshoala Academy takes ‘S.H.E Plays’ to Ansar UD-DEEN School

In a continued effort to promote grassroots football and empower young girls through sport and education, Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala brought her Asisat Oshoala Academy (AOA) programme, S.H.E Plays, to Ansar UD-DEEN Senior High School in Surulere, Lagos.

Fresh off scoring the opening goal in Nigeria’s 3-0 win over Tunisia at the ongoing 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, the Bay FC striker continued in her effort to give back to her community through a multidimensional outreach programme.

The S.H.E Plays initiative is more than just football. At the Surulere event, female students were engaged in life-transforming activities, including Taekwondo, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training, and life skills workshops focused on leadership, financial literacy, and personal development.

Speaking at the event, Tolu Osoba, Programme Coordinator at the Youth Empowerment Foundation, said the life skills segment focused on financial management, accessing economic opportunities, and empowering girls to achieve financial independence.

Seun Savage, Programme Coordinator of the AOA, revealed that the academy has impacted over 5,000 girls across Lagos through various initiatives.

“In the past few months, we’ve engaged different communities such as Abati Barracks and Obele, and now we are at Ansar UD-DEEN. We are using sports, particularly football, as a tool for empowerment, while also teaching vital life skills,” Savage said.

“We’re already planning to extend the programme to other communities, and as always, we hope to discover hidden talents while shaping stronger futures.”

The Principal of Ansar UD-DEEN Senior High School, Dalazi Adijat Kuburat, expressed gratitude to Oshoala and her team, describing the initiative as “a blessing” to the school and its surrounding environment.

“We deeply appreciate Asisat Oshoala’s efforts. This programme is not just training; it’s a lifeline for many of our girls. We hope this is just the beginning,” she said.