Akor Adams has given back to his roots through a football empowerment scheme.
Akor Jarome Adams is a Nigerian international footballer who plays in La Liga for Sevilla FC. He was raised in Minna and is an alumnus of the Federal Government College (FGC).
Akor Adams began his grassroots football career with Net Shakers FC in Tungan Goro. He later joined Jamba Football Academy in Kaduna before moving to Sogndal FC in Norway.
He received a national call-up to join the Nigerian Under-20 team that participated in the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland, appearing in two matches during the tournament.
Subsequently, he transferred to Lillestrøm SK in Norway and later played for Montpellier FC in the French league before establishing himself as a key player for Sevilla FC.
Having achieved significant success in his football career, Akor Adams decided to give back to his community by sponsoring a football competition named Akor Football Empowerment Scheme (AFES) 2025, through his charity foundation, Hope Alive Initiative.
Akor’s elder brother, Abogidi Abba Adamu, who is the tournament coordinator, expressed in an interview how fulfilling it is when someone chooses to give back to the society that shaped them.
He noted that the unity football promotes is incomparable, and as Akor’s brothers, they feel proud that he has chosen to support the very community where he began his grassroots football journey.
“Akor is a youth from our locality; he is my brother. He now plays as a key player for Sevilla Football Club.
We are thrilled that he has decided to support an initiative that will bring people together to enjoy the excitement and joy that football brings by sponsoring the Akor Football Empowerment Scheme at the Net Shakers Technical School Field in the Tungan Goro community,” stated Abogidi.
He described Akor as a generous and welcoming young man who has single-handedly transformed the Net Shakers field into one of the best playing fields in Minna metropolis.
According to the tournament coordinator, 15 teams from Minna and its surrounding areas registered for the football tournament, which kicked off on May 17, 2025, and is currently in the quarter-final stage.
He noted that the competition demonstrates what youths can achieve when given the opportunity, enabling participants to showcase their hidden skills and talents as matches are streamed and shared on various social media platforms.
Abogidi revealed that the competition is designed to benefit all participants, not just one winner. The first-place team will receive ₦1 million, the second-place team ₦500,000, and the third-place team ₦300,000.
Additionally, every team that participated was given a set of jerseys. In each game, the Man of the Match will receive ₦10,000, and at the end of the tournament, the best player, best goalkeeper, and top goal scorer will each receive ₦50,000.
While thanking Akor Adams for his generosity, Abogidi emphasized that no footballer who has excelled from Minna has contributed to the community in the same way Akor has, and he deserves recognition for his efforts.
“We, the youths of Tungan Goro, on behalf of the community, want to express our sincere appreciation to our brother for his ongoing support and for initiating this project, which fosters unity among us. As you know, football does not discriminate based on tribe, religion, or ethnicity,” he added.