By Ebenezer Mabinuola
Nigerian international and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman paid a courtesy visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his Lagos residence on Friday, May 30, where he presented the 2024 CAF Men’s African Footballer of the Year award – a symbol of his meteoric rise in global football and Nigeria’s renewed prominence on the continental stage.
The 27-year-old was accompanied by his father and the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko. The trio met with President Tinubu in a moment charged with national pride, as Lookman handed over the golden trophy that crowned his exceptional 2024 campaign.
Awarded in December 2024 in Marrakech, Morocco, the CAF accolade capped a season in which Lookman produced consistently elite performances for both club and country. He netted 20 goals across all competitions during the 2024/25 season, guiding Atalanta to a third-place finish in Italy’s Serie A – the club’s highest in over a decade.
However, it was his defining performance in the UEFA Europa League final that etched his name in European football history. Lookman scored a sensational hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen, securing Atalanta’s first-ever European title and earning widespread acclaim.
Speaking during the visit, President Tinubu commended Lookman for his achievement and dedication, calling him a beacon of inspiration for Nigeria’s youth.
“Your story is one of excellence, discipline, and perseverance,” Tinubu said. “You have made Nigeria proud and shown young people across the country what is possible through hard work and patriotism.”
Lookman’s contributions extended to the international stage as well, where he played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s run to the final of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations. He finished the tournament with three goals and two assists, further justifying his recognition as Africa’s best footballer. His win followed that of compatriot Victor Osimhen in 2023, marking back-to-back CAF titles for Nigeria – a feat last achieved in the early 1990s.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also present at the meeting, praised Lookman’s discipline and work ethic.
“He is not only a footballer but a role model who reflects the values of resilience and commitment,” the governor said.
The meeting drew wide attention on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where images of Lookman presenting the trophy to President Tinubu, flanked by his father, circulated rapidly. Fans hailed the player’s humility and his expression of national pride.
Lookman’s journey – from his early footballing years in England to continental glory with Nigeria and Atalanta – has become emblematic of a broader resurgence in Nigerian football. Analysts and fans alike see his success as a testament to a new generation of talent and the growing institutional support for sports development in the country.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to nurturing athletic excellence across Nigeria.
“Ademola’s success is not just personal – it is national,” he said. “It reminds every young Nigerian that with talent, discipline, and support, the world is within reach.”
