Former Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins has announced plans to organise a youth football tournament in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s campaign ahead of the 2027 general election.
Martins made this known during an interview with TVC on Thursday, revealing that the tournament, which he referred to as the “Renewed Hope tournament,” is scheduled to take place in November.
The former Inter Milan and Newcastle United forward said the competition would feature teams representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with another two or three teams also expected to participate.
“There’s a tournament that I’m doing for His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu that I’m doing for his campaign, the renewal youth tournament, and I’m doing it with, I think, the geopolitical zone, which is six, and I’m adding more two to three teams with it,” Martins said.
He explained that the tournament would go beyond political support for Tinubu, with the initiative also designed to provide opportunities for young Nigerians.
“I think I’m just happy to do it for the president with all his hard work and all that. And that is not just for the president, it’s for the Nigerians and the Nigerian youth as well; how we can help them,” he said.
Martins also confirmed that he would personally finance the tournament and that it would be held in November.
“Yes, I’m doing it in November,” he said when asked whether he would fund the initiative himself.
The announcement comes about two weeks after Martins voiced his support for Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, to become president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in the future.
Speaking on the Mikel Obi podcast, Martins described Seyi as a young person who understands the needs and expectations of Nigerians.
“I think Seyi Tinubu can be the president of NFF. He’s young and understands what Nigerians want. He’s not the president yet, but he’s making efforts,” Martins said.
Martins’ latest move adds to his involvement in youth football initiatives and comes as he continues to express support for the Tinubu administration ahead of the 2027 general election.