Obinna Ajoky, a former Nigeria U-23 Eagles forward, on Monday, 22 December, 2025, joined the long list of grassroot footballdevelopers and young talent incubators by  unveiling a modern football academy in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, named OB/U Football Academy, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

Ajoku had an illustrious career in the Nigeria domestic league with spells at Gabros Internatiinal FC, Kano Pillars, Sharks amongst others before traveling out to Europe where he featured for clubs in Vietnam, Thailand, Malta amongst others.

The pacy forward was part of Coach Musa Abdullahi's U23 Olympic Eagles squad that represented Nigeria at the 2003 All Africa Games in Abuja tagged 'COJA 2003'.

Later, he moved to Nam Định Football Club of Vietnam, Quy Nhon United Football Club, also Vietnam, before a move to  Pattaya United Football Club of Thailand.

While in Thailand, Ajoku also featured for Air Force United Football Club before a move to Malaysia where he played for Kelantan Football Club before traveling to Malta for a spell with Tarxien Rainbows Football Club before returning to Thailand where he signed for Phrae United Football Club.

After calling time on his playing career, Ajoku moved to the United States of America, USA, where he now resides.

The model Academy is being handled by the Ubong Ebere and Edem Ephraim where we're childhood friends of the striker and later his teammates with Ajoku also as part of the crew.

The ex Nigeria international told Exclusivenews.com.ng on Monday after the unveiling that that the project had been his long dream and a give back to the society.

"Even when I still playing, it had been in my dreams to float a platform where the young talents would be discovered and groomed for a better career", Ajoku said.

"It's my own little way of giving back to the society and I've this passion for it".

Asked why he opted to base the academy in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Ajoku recalled that he was born and breed in Calabar, Cross River State.

"I was born in Calabar, Cross River State. I also grew up there. I've this love for that place but I also spend quality time in Uyo each time I came back to Nigeria.

"I also found out the environment and atmosphere in Uyo fits the project and the chain of talents there is very fantastic, very amazing".

He explained the choice of Ubong Ebere and Edem Ephraim as those to over see the academy.

"We're childhood friends. We're friends and teammates and share same philosophy of the game", Ajoku explained.