A new two-month programme using sport to empower vulnerable young people and strengthen communities against crime has launched across three Lagos Local Government Areas, thanks to a partnership between UK charity Clean Herts Community (CHC), the UK Home Office, TAG International, and the British High Commission in Lagos.

The programme, running from September to November 2025, will provide boxing and football coaching alongside life skills training and mentoring to young people in:

• Ajeromi – Boxing

• Ikorodu – Boxing and Football
• Ifako Ijaiye – Boxing

The initiative was officially launched at EliteBox Gym on 15 September, with training sessions now underway across the three Local Government Areas. Local coaches will deliver regular community-based sessions designed to build confidence, develop skills, and create positive opportunities for participants.

Speaking at the launch, British Deputy High Commissioner Simon Field said:

“ 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”

Nikita Joshua, Director of CHC, said:

“ 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.”

Mr Adekunle Lamikanra, Coordinator of Ikorodu Crime Prevention Partnership (CPP), said:

“This programme creates positive pathways for our young people by harnessing the power of sport. Football and boxing build resilience, instil discipline, and draws them away from the streets. Just as important are the mentoring sessions which speak directly to their minds and 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 to safeguard our youths and to build a better future for all.”

Programme Background

Earlier in March 2025, CHC carried out its first international giveback in Lagos, where over 45 young people showcased their boxing, football, and digital skills. That event, supported by partners including the British High Commission Lagos, EliteBox Fitness, TAG International, Cleen Foundation, and Cyber Security Education Initiative (CYSED), demonstrated the positive impact of structured youth engagement.

Building on this success, the September–November programme will extend CHC’s reach and deepen its engagement at the grassroots of Lagos communities. The initiative is part of the wider Serious and Organised Crime (SOC) Prevent Programme, funded by the UK Home Office and implemented in Nigeria by TAG International.

Moniepoint Microfinance Bank (MFB), Nigeria’s definitive and trusted business and personal banking platform, has launched its new brand campaign, “Made for Your Progress,” reaffirming its commitment to powering the dreams of millions of Nigerians.

To signpost this message of aspiration and achievement, Moniepoint also proudly announces the appointment of Nigerian football star, Victor Osimhen, as its brand ambassador.

The “Made for your Progress” campaign establishes Moniepoint MFB as the financial partner for Nigeria’s huge aspirational, ambitious and gritty doers across all spheres of human endeavour.

At its core, the campaign celebrates the real people making real moves on their journey to success. It spotlights the small, medium, and big everyday victories that lead to customer growth, underlining Moniepoint’s commitment to being a reliable, sophisticated, and approachable financial partner.

“At Moniepoint, we have always believed that the ambitions of Nigerians are the bedrock of our economy as evidenced by the informal economy’s contributions to GDP.  We celebrate the people behind the many businesses we serve, and the individuals who have created value with our personal banking service, ” said Babatunde Olofin, Managing Director of Moniepoint MFB.

“’Made for your Progress’ is our promise to every Nigerian with a dream – that we will provide the financial comfort, confidence, and freedom they need to focus on building those dreams. We exist to recognize and power their journey.”

He continues, “Progress looks different for everyone, and we exist to support each unique journey. With this campaign, we are shining a light on the real people and small victories that make up the fabric of Nigeria’s growth story. Our commitment is to deliver financial happiness by being the most reliable and innovative partner for individuals and businesses nationwide.”

Victor Osimhen, whose story of resilience and achievement mirrors the campaign’s ethos. Osimhen’s inspiring “grass-to-grace” story of determination, resilience, and achievement resonates deeply with the spirit of the Moniepoint brand and the audience it serves.

His journey from the streets of Olusosun in Lagos to becoming an elite goal scorer on the world stage is the stuff of dreams for millions of Nigerians.  From humble beginnings to becoming one of Africa’s most celebrated football exports, Osimhen embodies the spirit of ambition, hard work,  triumph and the Nigerian hustle. 

Speaking about his role, Victor Osimhen said, “ My journey has always been about believing in progress, no matter the challenges. That is why I am proud to be associated with Moniepoint, a brand that truly supports people’s dreams and celebrates their wins, big or small. Together, we will inspire millions of Nigerians to keep striving for more.”

Lauding Moniepoint MFB, he said,  ”Their belief that every dream is valid and their commitment to powering progress aligns perfectly with my own life journey. ‘Made for your Progress’ is not a fancy, feel-good slogan; it’s a message of hope and a promise of support that I am proud to champion.” 

Osimhen, who recently joined Turkish giants, Galatasaray on a permanent deal for a fee in the region of €75 million, in a move which broke the Turkish Süper Lig’s all-time transfer record brings both grassroots authenticity and global recognition to the partnership.  

As part of its move to deepen financial inclusion, while powering the progress of individuals, it will be recalled that Moniepoint MFB launched its personal banking service in August 2023 to offer a comprehensive range of solutions designed to make personal financial management seamless and accessible.

Key offerings include a personal banking app that enables users to easily make transfers, pay bills, and purchase airtime.

The service is complemented by a Moniepoint debit card usable at ATMs, POS terminals, and online, backed by a reliable payment infrastructure trusted by over 10 million businesses in Nigeria.

The campaign will feature integrated marketing communications across traditional and digital platforms, showcasing diverse customer stories and highlighting how Moniepoint’s innovative products and services enable real progress in people’s lives.

With this campaign, Moniepoint MFB will reinvent its products and services as being more than a transactional tool, but as Nigeria’s definitive financial institution that fuels ambition, powers dreams, and delivers financial comfort, confidence, and freedom with security and reliability to boot.

Liverpool beat Arsenal 1-0 in a tense Premier League clash on Sunday, August 31. Reds fans erupted in wild celebration at MTN’s Watch Party at Bay Lounge, Lekki.

The game lived up to expectations as one of the weekend’s biggest fixtures. Arsenal enjoyed more possession but couldn’t make it count, while Liverpool’s persistence finally paid off. Dominik Szoboszlai struck a superb free-kick in the 83rd minute to hand the Reds victory. Despite Arsenal’s late push, Liverpool held firm to secure the win and send fans at the MTN watch party into celebration.

MTN,  as the official broadcast sponsor of the Premier League on SuperSport, staged the event as part of its commitment to football in Nigeria. The company also serves as the official communications partner of the Nigeria Football Federation for national teams and a co-sponsor of the Nationwide League One. 

Ekundayo Fatoki, Senior Manager, Sales and Distribution, MTN Nigeria, said football is central to how the company connects with its customers. “Football is a key passion point for every Nigerian, no matter their background. Football unites all of us. MTN is tapping into the passion points of Nigerians, to show our love to our customers and our commitment to them,” he said.

He noted that the company invests at every level of the game. “We’re heavily involved in a lot of Nigerian leagues, like NLO, and we heavily sponsored and supported even the under-15 NPFL that happened in Remo. So, we’ve done a lot, trying to support local football, going to the fringes to sponsor football-related events and see how we can empower and build up football talent and bring them to life.”

The watch party featured dance and singing from fans. The energy tied neatly with MTN’s ongoing Next Afrobeats Star talent show, which is aimed at discovering Nigeria’s next global Afrobeats sensation, with prizes worth over $100,000. Winners of games and challenges at the event also walked away with MTN products, adding to the excitement of the night.

For Liverpool fans, Szoboszlai’s late strike was the perfect ending. For MTN, the night reinforced how the beautiful game continues to bring Nigerians together, while underscoring the brand’s broader commitment to creating experiences that engage, delight, and connect with its customers.