Rasheedat Ajibade earns FIFA recognition – How this could impact Nigerian football

World football’s governing body, FIFA, has selected Super Falcons attacker Rasheedat Ajibade to join the second cohort of the FIFA Player Impact Programme.

​Ajibade is one of 13 players selected worldwide. The essence of the programme is to empower footballers with the skills and resources needed to engineer change in their societies.

​Aside from Ajibade, the players selected include Alexia Putellas, Casey Phair, Gabi Nunes, Hina Sugita, Jessie Fleming, Kenza Dali, María Sánchez, Michelle Agyemang, Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Racheal Kundananji, Rebekah Stott, and Sunil Chhetri, who is the only man in the group.

FIFA Player Impact Programme driving positive social change 🙌 In June, 11 of the 13-strong second cohort of FIFA’s Player Impact Programme were united for the initiative, which empowers players to harness their voice, platform and resources to drive positive social change 👉 https://t.co/qAXBHQqOaa

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) November 10, 2026

​In the previous cohort, there were two Africans: Gaëlle Enganamouit (Cameroon) and Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi). This year, Ajibade is one of two Africans, alongside Kundananji (Zambia).

​These players underwent a training programme earlier this year and are expected to present projects they want to undertake in their respective countries to FIFA. FIFA will then examine these plans and provide the seed funding necessary to bring them to fruition.

​How Does This Impact Nigerian Football?

​According to FIFA, players selected for this programme “will be supported with the skills, resources and guidance needed to turn their projects into reality.”

​For example, last year, some participants went on to establish academies in their home countries. This is likely the path most of them will take.

​If Ajibade decides to establish an academy, it could prove to be a significant boost for Nigeria. Asisat Oshoala’s academy has already become a proven pathway for young female footballers to hone their skills before turning professional.

That is where Janet Akekoromowei developed before moving to the Nigerian women’s league, and then to Europe.

​If multiple academies like that emerge across Nigeria, the women’s game will continue to grow and produce even more talent.

​Rasheedat Ajibade Injury Update

​As Rasheedat prepares for the FIFA Player Impact Programme, she is also recovering from an injury sustained while in action for the Super Falcons during last month’s Olympic qualifier against Comoros.

Rasheedat Ajibade seen walking with clutches for the first time after surgery. Quick recovery, Captain ❤️🇳🇬 https://t.co/R2NVXtHVze

— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) November 9, 2026

​She shared a video of herself on crutches earlier today as she continues on the road to full recovery. She is scheduled to return to action between February and March 2027.