The UK Government has launched a two-month sports-based empowerment programme in Lagos aimed at equipping vulnerable young people with life skills, discipline, and resilience against crime.
The initiative, which runs from September to November 2025, is being implemented in three Lagos Local Government Areas — Ajeromi (Boxing), Ikorodu (Boxing and Football), and Ifako Ijaiye (Boxing) — through a partnership between UK charity Clean Herts Community (CHC), the UK Home Office, TAG International, and the British High Commission in Lagos.
The official launch took place on September 15 at EliteBox Gym, where community coaches began delivering regular sessions combining boxing, football, and mentoring.
British Deputy High Commissioner Simon Field said the project highlights the UK’s commitment to community resilience in Nigeria:
“The UK is proud to support this initiative alongside CHC and TAG International. This programme demonstrates how international and local partnerships can provide young Nigerians with the tools, skills, and opportunities to thrive, and build local communities that are resilient against crime.”
Director of CHC, Nikita Joshua, emphasized the transformative power of sport:
“We are excited to return to Lagos after our successful pop-up earlier this year. Sports has the power to transform lives, instil discipline, and provide young people with alternatives to crime. This programme is about showing young people that hard work, resilience, and sincerity can open up brighter futures.”
In Ikorodu, where both football and boxing sessions are ongoing, the Coordinator of the Crime Prevention Partnership (CPP), Mr. Adekunle Lamikanra, described the programme as a lifeline:
“This programme creates positive pathways for our young people by harnessing the power of sport. Football and boxing build resilience, instil discipline, and draw them away from the streets. Just as important are the mentoring sessions which help them resist negative influences such as cultism and cybercrime. With continuous funding and support, programmes like this must remain a constant in our communities.”
The project builds on CHC’s first international outreach in March 2025, when over 45 young Lagosians showcased their sporting and digital skills in an event supported by the British High Commission Lagos, TAG International, EliteBox Fitness, and other partners.
The latest initiative is part of the wider Serious and Organised Crime (SOC) Prevent Programme, funded by the UK Home Office, which seeks to reduce crime by creating positive alternatives for at-risk youth.
