FC Barcelona to Build First Football Academy in Lagos

Yesterday,  February 22, was the birth of a new era in the development of football on the African continent, case in point, Nigeria as internationally renowned Spanish side chose the commercial city of Lagos for a project.

The La Liga Champions, FC Barcelona has shared its intentions to build its first soccer academy in Africa, in the city of Lagos.

The officials of the club led by one of its top board members, Pau Vilanovai Vila Abadal revealed this during a visit to the office of the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode who warmly received them.

Here are pictures from the visit to the State House.

We welcome the decision of Barcelona Football Club (FC) of Spain to establish its first Football Academy in Africa in Lagos. I am delighted with the development, as it is in sync with his our philosophy for sports development. Board member, FC Barcelona of Spain, Pau Vilanova i Vila Abadal (middle) and Director, FC Barcelona Academy, Oscar Grau, (left) during their courtesy visit to the Lagos House, Ikeja today.

A photo posted by Akinwunmi Ambode (@akinwunmiambode) on Feb 22, 2016 at 7:31am PST

I believe so much that sports, entertainment and arts can actually contribute together to lift Lagos and Nigeria away from the problem of unemployment and that is why this government will continue to support sports in its ramifications and ensure that we take our youth off the street and make them productively engaged. It was a pleasure presenting the State plaque to Board member, FC Barcelona of Spain, Pau Vilanova i Vila Abadal during a courtesy visit to the Lagos House today.

A photo posted by Akinwunmi Ambode (@akinwunmiambode) on Feb 22, 2016 at 7:40am PST

The visit by FC Barcelona is coming at a point where I believe strongly that we have nothing else to say than to say we are committed into this partnership because we know the partnership will give us the first FCBEscola in Africa. I was made to understand that this is the first of its kind in Africa and so Lagos is priding itself as a major receptor of the next academy to be established in Africa.

A photo posted by Akinwunmi Ambode (@akinwunmiambode) on Feb 22, 2016 at 7:52am PST

I know that this partnership with FC Barcelona of Spain will create a very good platform for youth development, grassroots empowerment and also for the value of sportsmanship. We share the same values with FC Barcelona which are respect, courage, humility, social integration and community service. (R-L) Board member, FC Barcelona of Spain, Pau Vilanova i Vila Abadal; Director, FC Barcelona of Spain Academy, Oscar Grau and General Manger, Gaton Construction Company, Carlos Gaton, during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Monday, February 22, 2016.

A photo posted by Akinwunmi Ambode (@akinwunmiambode) on Feb 22, 2016 at 7:54am PST

A remarkable group photograph with Board member, FC Barcelona of Spain, Pau Vilanova i Vila Abadal (3rd left); Commissioner for Sports, Pharm. (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf (3rd right); Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Deji Tinubu (2nd right), President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFA), Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick (right) and others, during a courtesy visit by FC Barcelona of Spain, to the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Monday, February 22, 2016.

A photo posted by Akinwunmi Ambode (@akinwunmiambode) on Feb 22, 2016 at 7:49am PST