Football remains one of the most powerful forces for unity in Nigeria, transcending ethnic, religious and socio-economic boundaries. It's a shared passion that connects communities, inspires hope and creates opportunities for millions of youth across the country. In recognition of this unique unifying force, TECNO, Africa's leading mobile phone brand, has reaffirmed its commitment to grassroots sports development by bringing football infrastructure to underprivileged communities in Nigeria and the African continent.
As one of the official partners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) currently taking place in Morocco, Techno has launched a continent-wide initiative focused on the construction of small-sized football pitches in communities where access to quality sports facilities is limited.
The initiative is in line with the brand's broader vision of empowering African youth, promoting social inclusion and nurturing the next generation of football talent from grassroots to professional levels.
The flagship Nigerian project under the TECNO 2025 AFCON initiative was recently unveiled in Lagos with the inauguration of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu Mini Stadium located in Sura, Lagos Island. The event marked a significant milestone not only for TECNO but also for sports development in Lagos State, as it represented the first mini football stadium delivered through a collaborative public-private partnership between a corporate organization and the state government.
The newly constructed mini stadium, named in honor of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stands as a symbol of shared responsibility and collective purpose between the public and private sectors.
It is designed to serve as a hub for grassroots football, youth engagement and community development, providing a safe, modern and accessible venue for the region's youth to train, compete and develop their talents.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by key government officials, community leaders and representatives of TECNO. They also included the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Mr. Lekan Fatoba, who described the project as one of special importance to the Lagos State Government.
In his remarks, Mr. Fatoba expressed his deep appreciation to Techno for investing in grassroots sports development.
“We are extremely grateful to our partner Techno. Words are not enough to appreciate what you have done with this project,” he said.
“We understand that this is a corporate social responsibility initiative dedicated to youth empowerment and community development. However, this project goes beyond private investment. It represents a rare convergence of purpose between corporate social responsibility and the government's social contract with the people, delivered through a public-private partnership arrangement.”
Also present at the event was the Lagos State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Honorable Mobolaji Ogunlende. He commended Techno for an initiative which he described as deeply community-driven and firmly rooted in grassroots development. The Commissioner encouraged the company to expand similar projects to other deprived areas of Lagos State including Ikorodu and Badagry to broaden the impact of the initiative.
Representing Techno at the event, the Head of Legal Affairs, Mr. Babatunde Giwa, who spoke on behalf of Transon’s General Manager, Mr. Chidi Okonkwo, shared insights into the motivation behind the company’s increased investment in football development. According to Mr Giwa, Techno's long-term ambition is to become synonymous with football across Nigeria and Africa.
“This vision is driven by our commitment to not only connect with established football stars across the continent, but also to identify, support and partner with the future stars of the game,” he said. “Our goal is to help young, football-loving Nigerians achieve their dreams by building a bridge between grassroots talent and today’s football icons.”
To officially open the stadium for use, a novelty match was played on the new pitch, pitting the Lagos State team against the Techno team. The entertaining encounter ended in a 2-2 draw and was attended by top officials of the state including the Sports Commissioner and the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission. This was followed by a second match between two local community teams, with Sura Red Stars emerging victorious with a 3–1 victory, further emphasizing the community-centred focus of the facility.
Techno has consistently demonstrated its commitment to football development in Africa through partnerships with major continental competitions, including the past and present editions of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations. The commissioning of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu Mini Stadium reinforces the brand’s belief in football as a catalyst for youth empowerment, social cohesion and sustainable community development.
In closing, Techno expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the Lagos State Sports Commission and the Lagos State Government for their continued dedication to youth and community development through inclusive sports initiatives. The company reaffirmed its commitment to deepen partnerships that create lasting impact and unlock opportunities for young Nigerians through the power of football. For more updates, follow Techno on Facebook, Instagram and X(Twitter)
