ALTECS unveils maiden edition of U-17 secondary school football competition

All Things Education Consultants UK (ALTECS) has unveiled its maiden edition of the U-17 Secondary School Football Competition.

The event, held recently at Greensprings School, Lekki, featured some of Lagos’ top private secondary schools.

It was a day of competitive football, talent scouting, and academic outreach.

The tournament, described by organisers as a “fusion of education, opportunity and sports development,” brought together eight schools, including British International School (BIS), Atlantic Hall, Dowen College, International School Lagos, Corona School, Caleb School, and others.

Mr. Johnson Agogo, ALTECS UK representative, said the initiative was created to help African students access academic and sporting opportunities in Britain and beyond.

“Our priority is education, but we added sports to identify talented students and possibly create international pathways for them,” Agogo said. “This is our first sports edition, and by the next one we’ll have more sponsors and UK partners supporting a bigger and better programme.”

Agogo named the founders of the UK-based consulting firm as Emmanuel Oyedeji Awe and Ebipeju Olukoya, adding that ALTECS is committed to using sports as a bridge for educational advancement.

The event’s Sports Coordinator, Coach Joseph Duruihuoma, a seasoned PE teacher and sports administrator with over a decade of experience, said the competition is strictly for students below 17.

“We host tournaments yearly and termly, but this is the first consultant-driven one,” he said. “ALTECS has done exceptionally well. Coaches trust our platform, and many of these students already dream of studying in the UK and beyond. ALTECS is opening that door.”

He added that the competition included a large trophy, medals, and individual prizes, with scouts monitoring standout players.

Former national swimming athlete and sports administrator, Mrs. Wemimo Raje, applauded the organisers for linking sports and academics.

“This is grassroots development. Some of these students will get scholarships. Sports is no longer for dropouts, education and sports must go together, and ALTECS understands that synergy,” she said.

She criticised Nigeria’s over-concentration on football while neglecting other sports but noted that private initiatives like this signal a new direction for youth development.

Advertisement

One of the standout players, 14-year-old Eli Nwachukwu of British International School, said he hopes the competition opens professional doors.

“I’d love to play football professionally,” he said. “If a UK scholarship comes through ALTECS, it would be a great opportunity.”

Hilary, a central defensive midfielder, said his team has strong chemistry and is confident of going far in the tournament.

Despite the excitement on the pitch, Agogo insisted that academics remain the heart of the initiative.

“We don’t encourage any student to abandon school. What we promote is combining education with sports so they can pursue both in the Uk and around the globe,” he said.

The tournament ended with cheers, red-carpet interviews, exhibition stands, and scouts evaluating emerging prospects.

Organisers affirmed that the next edition will expand to include more schools, sponsors, and UK-based academies.

With grassroots sports struggling for support nationwide, ALTECS UK’s intervention has opened a new channel, where Nigerian students can chase academic excellence while nurturing athletic dreams.