Ajibade champions health education for grassroots female footballers

Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade is pushing for better hygiene, mental health, and personal health education among grassroots female footballers. She is doing this through the Rash Hygiene Hub, which is part of the Rasheedat Ajibade Foundation.

So far, the initiative has completed three phases in Lagos. More than 600 female footballers from different clubs have received hygiene kits and health education. This program aims to improve their well-being both on and off the pitch.

The third phase took place at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Iyana-Ipaja, on Saturday. It covered important topics like nutrition, mental health, personal hygiene, first aid, and CPR. Participants learned CPR through a practical demonstration led by trainers from the Nigeria Red Cross Society and other partners.

Ajibade shared that this initiative started because of the difficulties grassroots female footballers face, especially those from families that struggle to meet basic needs.

“Grassroots female football is chronically under-resourced, and hygiene is deprioritised when families are focused on survival. This leads to compromised health, hygiene and confidence both on and off the pitch. It makes them feel that their dignity and wellbeing come second to their circumstances, rather than being seen first as girls who deserve care,” she said.

One participant, 17-year-old Aliyah Oyelade from Goldenwealth Football Academy in Igando, Lagos, enjoyed the session. She found the lessons on emergency response and CPR especially interesting.

“I have been playing football since I was 11 and I find this as an eye-opener. I have learned new things, and the CPR session is the biggest gain for me. I have heard about CPR, but I haven’t seen it in practice,” she said.

The foundation plans to take this project beyond Lagos to other states in Nigeria.

“Our ambition is national. We understand that this happens in stages, and that each stage must be delivered and evidenced before the next begins. We intend to replicate the Lagos model.

“Every stage follows the same seven-step method set out: verify, register, map by travel corridor, deliver, reconcile, report, review. It is deliberately simple so we can reliably track its impact.

“Our vision is to create a hub where female grassroots footballers who cannot afford basic hygiene products can access essential hygiene supplies and personal health education. This supports their well-being, empowering them to feel clean, confident, and whole.