Nigeria, Aug. 29 -- Across the world, sport has long been recognised as a powerful tool for youth empowerment, creating pathways for education, economic advancement, and social inclusion.

Football, in particular, stands out as the most accessible and unifying sport globally, providing millions of young people the opportunity to pursue professional careers, escape poverty, and find community.

From Europe's elite academies to South America's bustling street leagues, football continues to shape destinies and inspire change.

In Nigeria, the passion for the game runs deep. Generations of young players have grown up playing barefoot on sandy fields and makeshift pitches, dreaming of reaching professional levels.

While the country has produc...