The most commonly attributed challenge with tennis development in Nigeria is sponsorship, and this is not far fetched, but it could be a thing of the past with Naija Leap Sports’ unprecedented, yet timely entry into the fray.
Nigeria has never been shy to produce tennis talents across the country, however, these talents remain what they are – raw and untapped, as the funding required to take them to the next level is always unavailable.
With these challenges repeating itself over the years, Naija Leap Sports stepped forward to change the status quo, and boldly take up the responsibility of returning tennis to its glory days in Nigeria.
Despite being established in April 2024, the organization did not start operations until February 2025, when they took up the responsibility of nurturing aspiring tennis players (junior and senior) to stardom in the nearest future.
READ ALSO: Players Complain Bitterly Over DavNotch, VEMP Open Prize Monies
This tennis-focused academy is founded by Samson Ayodeji, a former athlete and an entrepreneur whose diverse portfolio of businesses puts him in a perfect position to lead and drive the passion for the organization.
Apart from being a business consultant, he alongside his wife, runs Bravort Institute of Technology and Interior Design – an education institution, CharizInteriors and CharizInnovators.
In a chat with Nigeria Tennis Live, Ayodeji details what his organization does and what they intend to achieve with the tennis players.
He said: “Naija Leap Sports is a sports academy primarily focused on the holistic development of tennis talent in Nigeria, particularly at the grassroots level.
“While initially registered with a broader vision for a multi-sport tournament, its current core mission is to nurture aspiring tennis players, to provide essential support and resources, including crucial educational pathways, to young athletes who would otherwise struggle to pursue their sporting dreams and secure their future”.
READ ALSO: Nigeria’s Oyinlomo Quadre Bags Fresh College Player Award In The UK
Popularly called ‘Egbon’, a Yoruba word literally translated as ‘Senior’, Ayodeji had planned to push his ‘future son’ to football but he had to change direction when he learnt that he would be having a daughter, instead.
According to him: “I had to start looking for a sport that she would play and that was what led me to tennis in August, 2024”.
As a former athlete, ‘Egbon’ intimately understood the struggles with kitting, support, funding, and the finances needed to advance in sports as soon as he got into tennis.
“It was not long before I saw numerous talented players lacking basic support like strings, shoes, feeding, rackets, and balls, and also facing challenges in balancing their sport with their future prospects.
“This profound realization, coupled with my innate passion, led me to pivot this initial multi-sport tournament vision and establish the tennis academy to address these immediate and long-term needs for athletes’ well-being,” Ayodeji explained further.
While it is already glaring what Naija Leap Sports is planning to do with Nigerian tennis players, the future always looks bleak when there is no proper planning, however, this may not be the case with the organization.
The Founder shared a well-detailed plan for Nigerian tennis players with Nigeria Tennis Live.
READ ALSO: Toyin Asogba Wins First Tournament Of 2025, Breaks Into Top 10 In France
He said: “The future plan of Naija Leap Sports is exceptionally ambitious and impactful: to develop the finest tennis players that will represent Nigeria on the biggest stages of global tennis.
“This vision extends beyond local courts, aiming to create clear pathways for our athletes to truly “leap” forward in their careers and reach international prominence”.
Speaking further, he noted that: “We intend to achieve these through the following means: Ensuring a steady pipeline of raw talent is identified and nurtured from the earliest stage, Providing comprehensive support that covers not just athletic training but also education and personal development.
“Others include: Actively preparing and facilitating opportunities for our senior players to secure tennis scholarships at reputable colleges and universities abroad, particularly in the United States. This allows them to combine high-level athletic competition with quality education, building a strong foundation for their future.
“Organizing and funding participation in European junior and senior tennis circuits and tournaments. These tours will provide crucial international match experience, expose players to diverse playing styles, and offer valuable ranking points necessary for professional progression.
“Beyond Europe, seeking opportunities for players to compete in other key international tournaments and training camps globally. This exposure is vital for players to gain confidence, adapt to different conditions, and attract the attention of scouts and sponsors on the world stage.”
READ ALSO: NTF Returns National Wheelchair Tennis Tournaments To Lagos
A confident ‘Egbon’ further explained that “The long-term vision of Naija Leap Sports is to significantly contribute to Nigeria’s consistent presence and resounding success in the global tennis arena, ensuring our athletes are not only champions on the court but also well-rounded individuals prepared for a thriving future”.
To show that they are not all talks and no action, Naija Leap Sports, Ayodeji affirmed, already has over 20 players on their payroll as well as four coaches who earn in six figures every month.
“As we speak, there are 22 players in our academy whom we cater to. We pay for their rackets, feed them, kit them and pay them a token every month to help them with transport fare to the tennis facilities where we train them.
“We also have four coaches who earn nothing less than one hundred thousand monthly (N100,000), and these expenses are incurred on a monthly basis,” Ayodeji explained.
It will not be too long before Nigerians start looking forward to what Naija Leap Sports will achieve with the current crop of players they have.
Nigeria Tennis Live will keep monitoring the activities of the Academy and share updates from new developments with our teeming readers scattered across the globe.