Olasubomi Ogundele: The student-athlete sewing soles, scoring goals and chasing roles
In the dusty streets of Ota, where the sun bore down unforgivingly and the air smelled of roasted plantains and motor fumes, a little girl wove through imaginary defenders, chasing something far greater than a ball: freedom.
She did not stumble upon the ball; it found her, and since then, it has never been just a game to her, never just a hobby. It was a language she understood before she could even articulate her dreams. It was her escape, her solace, her rebellion.
But freedom, in her world, had limits. At home, football was an unwelcome guest. They saw it as a distraction, a pastime with no future for a young girl. School was the priority. Chores were non-negotiable. The house had expectations, and football was not one of them. Yet, the more she was told to stop, the more the game called to her. She played in secret, returning home breathless and covered in dust, only to meet the piercing gaze of a mother who already knew where she had been.
Still, she played on. Not because it was easy but because stopping was never an option. Football was not something she did; it was who she was. Even when life tried to steer her away, even when the road was riddled with rejection and doubt, she refused to let go. That determination would take her further than she ever imagined. From the school fields in the suburbs of Ogun State to professional football, from selling handmade shoes to leading university students.
This is the story of Olasubomi Oluwapamilerinayo Ogundele, a story of defiance that dreams are worth chasing, even when the world says otherwise.
For the first time, in an exclusive interview with Made In Africa Sport, she shares the untold details of her journey, her struggles, and the sacrifices that shaped the woman she is today. In her own words, she takes us through the highs and lows of being a student-athlete, an entrepreneur, and a leader.
A childhood of dreams and doubts
Ogundele’s earliest memories of football are filled with simple joy and competition. “I remember playing on the streets with boys in my neighbourhood, using makeshift goalposts and kicking anything that resembled a ball,” she recalled, with a nostalgic smile. “I did not care about the dust or bruises. I just loved the game.”
“In primary school, I would rush through my classwork just to get a chance to play during breaks. That was when I realised football was more than just a pastime for me, it was a passion,” she said.
But in a society where young girls were expected to prioritise education and domestic responsibilities over sports, Ogundele’s love for football was not always welcomed.
Her family, particularly her parents, saw football as a distraction, something that was not enough to secure the future of a young girl.
“There were always people who felt it was not a sport for girls, and I constantly had to prove myself,” she explained. “I was often the only girl on the field, and I had to work twice as hard to earn my place.”
When people told her to focus on more feminine activities, she saw it as motivation.
“Instead of letting those comments discourage me, I kept pushing, improving my skills, and showing that talent has no gender.”
“It wasn’t always easy. I had to deal with people who didn’t believe I belonged on the pitch, and sometimes, even when I played well, I wasn’t always given the same opportunities as the boys. It was frustrating, but every challenge made me stronger and more determined to break barriers women face in sports and fuelled my passion to break those limits, not just for myself but for other girls coming after me.”
“There was this moment I played in a match as the only girl at Community Primary School, Owode Ota, and by the final whistle, those who once doubted me were praising my performance. That day, I realized talent speaks louder than stereotypes,” she added.
“My family always emphasized the importance of education,” she admitted, on that being another struggle. “That’s why I never saw sports and academics as separate, both were equally important to me. They taught me that if I wanted something, I had to work for it and that nothing good comes easy.”
“That really shaped me, as I was having to constantly prove myself in football and beyond. I learned that nothing would be handed to me just because I wanted it, I had to earn it.
“Whether it was fighting to be included in a game or working hard to balance my studies with sports, I developed a strong work ethic and a mindset that refuses to settle for less. That experience of pushing through challenges and defying expectations is a big part of who I am today,” she said.
From a local talent to a national star
Ogundele’s raw talent soon became undeniable. She took her first real shot at the game in 2016, winning the Oba Onilogbo Cup, then her breakthrough moment came in 2017 when she represented Iganmode Grammar School in the GTBank Principal’s Cup. It was the first time she played in an organised competition, and despite the nerves, she excelled.
By the end of the tournament, she had been named most valuable player, a title that spurred everything, but it did not mean she had arrived. Though her reputation was growing, it was the beginning of what would be a trophy-laden journey.
She continued to build her name in grassroots football, returning to the Oba Onilogbo Cup in 2017 and leading her team to another first-place finish. That same year, she competed in the RCCG LP 1 Football Tournament, finishing in third place.
In 2018, she remained a force at the Oba Onilogbo Cup, helping her team reached the final but had to settle for the runner-up position this time. A similar story played out in 2018 Oluwarotimi’s Cup, where her team also finished as runners-up.
Her biggest test, however, came in the Sir Kensington Adebutu U-17 Female Competition, which was held in both 2017 and 2018. In the first and second editions of the tournament, Ogundele’s performances stood out as she guided her team to back-to-back titles.
By now, she was not just playing to win, she was dominating.
“Playing on the streets shaped my perspective on football and gender expectations in ways I didn’t fully realize at the time,” she said on the effects of these experiences on her career.
“That experience built resilience in me. It made me tougher, more determined, and unwilling to back down, it taught me early on that skill and passion should be the only things that matter in sports. I learned to play without fear and to let my performance speak for itself,” she said.
2018 was also the year she made her mark on the national stage. Representing Ogun State at the 4th National Youth Games in the University of Ilorin, she played a key role in leading the state team to the gold medal. It was her first major competition outside grassroots football, and she proved she belonged at that level.
Her impact went beyond just winning the games. By the end of the tournament, she was named highest goalscorer, highest assists provider, and most valuable player for a clean sweep of individual awards that showed her growing influence on the game.
With these tournaments coming thick and fast for her, she was getting stronger, more confident, and more determined to push further. From local grassroots and interschool competitions to national success, she was no longer just a promising player, she was becoming a winner, and it was at that point her journey took a turn.
The year Ogundele graduated from secondary school was one of uncertainty as there was no straight passage into university, and she had to find another path while waiting.
“The year I graduated from senior secondary school was a period of transition for me,” she said. “Due to certain circumstances, I had to wait at home for a year before gaining admission.”
“Rather than sitting idle, I saw it as an opportunity to learn something new and make the most of my time. That was when I decided to learn a trade, a decision that would later shape my journey in unexpected ways.”
She turned to shoemaking, a skill she quickly mastered. What started as a way to stay productive soon became a serious business as it grew steadily, and soon, her work became recognised beyond just her circle of friends.
“I now have customers all over Nigeria and outside the country,” she said.
The university dream finally came true in 2019, but by the time she matriculated in 2020, Ogundele was more than a student, she was a serial entrepreneur and a footballer on the rise, which makes balancing all three lifestyle proving to be one of her biggest challenges yet.
“When I got into University, life felt particularly tough at times when I had to juggle school, football and my business. There were days when it felt overwhelming, like I was carrying too much at once. There were also moments of doubt when I questioned if I was making the right choices. But I reminded myself why I started. My love for the game, my passion for making an impact, and my belief that I could break barriers kept me going.
“During those moments, I leaned on discipline, prayer, and the support of people who believed in me. I learned to take things one step at a time, stay focused on my goals, and trust that all my hard work would pay off. Looking back, every tough moment shaped me into the person I am today to be determined, resilient, and unafraid to chase my dreams,” she said.
And her hard work did pay off.
Her amateur football journey had already gained momentum before she resumed at the University of Lagos (UNILAG). She won the Nigerota 2019 tournament and was named the most valuable player. That same year, she was part of the Alimosho Ladies’ Socialiga 2019 winning team.
The following seasons brought more success, she won back-to-back Copa Femme titles in 2020 and 2021, alongside the best player of the tournament award.
In 2022, she helped her team win Socialiga again and reached the quarterfinals of the biggest global five-a-side football tournament, Red Bull Neymar Jr’s Five in Qatar, representing Nigeria. She continued her winning streak with another Nigerota title in 2023.
Individually, she was recognised for her performances, winning the best midfielder of the season (2019/20) and the student-athlete of the year (2021/22) at Alimosho FC Players’ Awards.
The latter award bore witness that she was simultaneously making her mark on campus. She helped her faculty team finish as runners-up at the 2022 Nigeria Universities Education Students’ Association (NUESA) futsal game.
Then came the 2022 Nigeria University Games (NUGA), where she led the UNILAG female football team to victory on home soil, finishing as the highest goalscorer, highest assists provider, and most valuable player. She was also named sports woman of the year by NUESA (UNILAG) for 2021/22.
Her ascendancy continued in faculty-level competitions.
She won the NUESA Dean’s Cup in 2023, finishing as the highest goalscorer and most valuable player. In the EMSA HOD’s Cup 2023, she repeated the same feat, winning both individual and team honours.
Then, on the continental stage, she was instrumental in the UNILAG football team at the FASU Games 2024, leading them to a bronze medal in what will be her final appearance as an amateur and student-athlete.
A dream come true
With university football all but conquered, the next step was clear: professional football, and she achieved that dream while still being an undergraduate when she signed with Remo Stars Ladies in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership on 13 January 2025. It was a moment she had fought for since childhood.
From the University of Lagos to the Nigeria Women Football League📈
Our latest signing is one that inspires as Olasubomi Ogundele signs her first professional contract with us.
This is an interesting watch 😎 #WeAreRemoStarsLadies pic.twitter.com/ATDjj9Bx6H
— Remo Stars Ladies (@RemoStarsLadies) January 13, 2025
“It was a surreal moment I had dreamed about for years. Finally stepping into the professional world felt like proof that all the hard work, sacrifices, and challenges were worth it,” she said.
Her arrival came during a busy transfer window, with the Sky Blue Stars signing 10 new players before the start of the season. Such a major squad overhaul often means added pressure to perform immediately.
For her, it was not a burden, but a challenge she was ready for.
“Yes, there was pressure, but I saw it as motivation rather than something to fear. I focused on playing my game, working hard in training, and trusting my abilities.
“The team welcomed me warmly, which made settling in easier. I focused on learning quickly, understanding the system, and building chemistry with my teammates.
“I was impressed by the professionalism and structure of the club. The ambition, work ethic, and hunger to compete at the highest level were evident from day one.”
Without much ado, she also hit the ground running on day one. Remo Stars had never won an away game in the Premiership and were losing 1-0 to Confluence Queens by half-time in their first league game of the season in Kogi until debutant Ogundele turned it around by scoring a goal and creating another for the club’s historic win.
“It was a special moment I’ll never forget,” she said happily. “To contribute to such a historic win in my debut was a dream start and gave me even more confidence moving forward.”
“That debut performance stands out, but every match is an opportunity to create new moments. I aim to keep making an impact. I want to keep delivering goals, assists, and strong performances to help the team push higher. Realistically, I believe we can compete for a top finish if we stay consistent,” she said.
An impact beyond the pitch
As someone who has been so fixated on leadership, community development and inspiring young women, Ogundele has always been using her platform to drive change, and she was picked into the FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy in April 2024 as Nigeria’s representative alongside Isoken Uhumwenkpenma when the International University Sports Federation (FISU) selects outstanding student-athletes to promote university sports worldwide.
She was then awarded the status of FISU Student Ambassador and becoming the helping hand of NUGA and FASU in the country.
“It is a huge honour I do not take lightly,” she said. “It’s about giving back, about using my platform to help others find their path.”
For Ogundele, the role is not just an achievement. It is a responsibility to advocate for female athletes in sports, a cause FISU also holds dear.
“So many girls give up because they don’t have support,” she said. “I want to change that.”
“Nigeria has so much potential in university sports, and being in this position allows me to advocate for all student-athletes, push for better structures, and showcase our talent on a global stage.”
But advocacy comes with challenges and one of the biggest she faces is the perception that university sports are merely an extracurricular activity rather than a platform for development in the country as many students do not see the opportunities that exist beyond the field, and even those who do often lack the support needed to balance both academics and sports.
As a FISU Student Ambassador, I’m hosting a webinar for student-athletes to share their experiences balancing academics and sports!
📅 30th January 2025
🕖 7 PM WAT
🎥 Google MeetRegister here 👉 https://t.co/xr5OAnIp1E
Let’s connect, learn, and grow together! pic.twitter.com/w8Xppa5SqP
— Subbyrankin (@SubomiOgundele) January 27, 2025
She is happy progress is happening through her, with more students now engaging, asking questions, and showing interest in leadership roles within sports
“Many student-athletes also struggle with balancing sports and academics, and I have had to focus on advocacy, sharing success stories, pushing for better support structures, and convincing them that university sports are not just for competition but rather a platform for growth and opportunities.”
“Since then, I have seen more students take an interest in sports, leadership, and even FISU initiatives. Some have reached out to learn more, which shows that the impact is spreading, that is one of the best parts of this role, knowing that my work is making a difference.”
She also said collaboration with the Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) has also been a key part of her efforts as she works closely with the organisation to align with FISU’s mission and increase student engagement in university sports.
