The Asisat Oshoala Academy is now empowering its players by providing them with skill acquisition training, News About Nigeria reports.
This comes during their break, after a successful first season. The skill acquisition program, titled “Impactive Skills Acquisition Recipe for Aspiring Footballers,” is a joint initiative of the Asisat Oshoala Foundation and the Lagos State Skill Acquisition Center in Mushin.
The academy girls will have the opportunity to learn various vocational skills, including barbing, hair styling, wig making, pedicure/manicure, makeup artistry, tailoring, and leatherwork.
Asisat Oshoala, the renowned Nigerian footballer and founder of the academy, emphasized the importance of equipping young people with employable skills.
“We must be honest to admit that the reality today is that we do not have enough young people with employable skills that would make them globally competitive to take advantage of employment opportunities.
“Even blue-collar employment opportunities are quickly snapped up by the more skilled personnel from our neighbouring countries. We have to fix it,” Oshoala stated.
By offering vocational training to the academy girls, Oshoala aims to prepare them for a future beyond football.
She believes not all of them may follow in her footsteps and become professional footballers, but the skills they acquire will provide them with alternative career paths and opportunities for self-sustainability.
According to reports, the skill acquisition program is not just a short-term endeavor. Oshoala’s commitment to the girls’ development extends beyond the break period.
“We are on break at the academy now after one year, and we shall resume in August,” she explained. “But we feel they should all go for vocational training so they won’t just be at home during the break.
“Even when we resume, some of them will still continue with the training, as the program’s duration ranges from two months to six months and more.”
Oshoala is currently in Australia with other Super Falcons players, representing Nigeria at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Nigeria faces Australia, the tournament’s co-host on Thursday, for a place in the competition’s round of 16.
