Abeokuta Emerges First Nigerian City in UK-Led Boxing, Peacebuilding Initiative

Abeokuta Emerges First Nigerian City in UK-Led Boxing, Peacebuilding Initiative

...15 community trainers equipped as Ogun boxing association gets donated equipment

ABEOKUTA — Abeokuta has become the first Nigerian city to join a global boxing-for-development initiative aimed at tackling youth violence, drug abuse and social exclusion through sports-based peacebuilding.

The initiative, facilitated by the Peace Initiative Network in partnership with the United Kingdom-based Empire Fighting Chance, was launched on Tuesday at the Ijeja Stadium, Abeokuta.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of PIN, Dr. Michael Shodipo, said the partnership would connect Abeokuta with Bristol, England, through peer-to-peer learning and the exchange of community-driven peacebuilding strategies.

He explained that both cities face similar challenges, including youth gang violence, substance abuse and social exclusion, making the collaboration an opportunity to share practical solutions using sport as a tool for social change.

Shodipo said the programme introduced Bristol's "contactless boxing" model, which uses boxing to engage vulnerable youths, prevent violence and promote peaceful coexistence.

He disclosed that 15 community trainers were undergoing capacity-building to ensure the sustainability of the project, while boxing equipment donated under the initiative would be handed over to the Ogun State Boxing Association to strengthen grassroots boxing development.

According to him, combining sports with economic empowerment would help reduce youth involvement in crime and foster sustainable community development.

Also speaking, Executive Director of Empire Fighting Chance, Martin Bisp, said the initiative would complement existing youth intervention programmes in Ogun State by combining boxing with psychological support for young people exposed to violence and antisocial behaviour.

He noted that the programme, which has been successfully implemented across the United Kingdom and North America, would provide training, mentorship and technical support for local coaches and boxing clubs.

Bisp added that strengthening amateur boxing would create a pathway for the emergence of future professional champions from Ogun State.

International boxing technical official and coach, Mosunmola Adeoti, described boxing as a powerful tool for youth development, saying the sport builds discipline, confidence and emotional control rather than promoting violence.

She urged parents to encourage their children to embrace boxing, noting that the collaboration would expose more young people to opportunities capable of transforming their lives beyond the ring.