Scoring goals and touching lives: Odion Ighalo’s remarkable journey of philanthropy

Ayomikun Elemikan Featured, Leading Stories, Sports 07/01/2024

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

In December 2017, the ‘Ighalo Orphanage Home’, owned by Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo, was opened in Ijegun, Lagos.

Having witnessed a tough time growing up in Ajegunle, Ighalo vowed to give back to the society.

Odion Ighalo has continued to inspire and touch lives through his philanthropic deeds (Image: Punch Newspapers)

And that is exactly what the former Watford and Manchester United player is doing – giving back to the society.

At 17, Ighalo left the shores of Nigeria to pursue greater dreams abroad via his football career. He is a successful footballer today but it didn’t come all that easy at first.

“Life was tough growing up in Ajegunle,” Odion Ighalo said on his foundation’s website.

“And I vowed that if I eventually had a breakthrough, I’ll give back to the society that made me.”

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Ighalo’s humanitarian deeds are well recognised and we’ll received in the society (Image: Punch Newspapers)

Today, Ighalo is a footballer his countrymen are proud of. Not only for his goalscoring exploits in China, Spain, England and even Saudi Arabia, but also for his impactful off-field contributions.

The Orphanage is a big project for Ighalo

It is estimated the 34-year-old spent around £1 million to purchase land and build the orphanage for kids.

Odion Ighalo stands in the compound of his orphanage home in Ijegun, Lagos state (Image: Africa Facts Zone on X)

Not only that, he as well pays their school fees if the kids and funds their feeding. Interestingly, Ighalo gives them football training, free kits and lots of other goodies and packages.

Kids of the ‘Ighalo Orphanage Home’ dressed in Jerseys with Ighalo’s name printed on them. (Image: Africa Facts Zone on X)

Apart from the bright future he is building for kids at the orphanage, he also empowers widows. The Al-Wehda striker does this by regularly giving financial support to hundreds of widows.

Odion Ighalo with kids during a party in his orphanage home (Image: Africa Facts Zone on X)

Ighalo also spoke on his foundation’s website that “life’s challenges were hard enough even with both parents” at his side.

Obviously, the lanky forward has never forgotten his roots. He continues to show how much of an inspiring legacy he has beyond the football pitch. Odion Ighalo is indeed worthy of emulation.