Nigerian football cannot survive without television– Alhaja Ayo Omidiran

By Godwin Enakhena

She is down to earth and speaks from the belly at all times. “Whatever is worth doing should be done very well” is her motto. Alhaja Ayo Omidiran transited from an avid football administrator to politics and she just served as a two-time member of the House of Representatives.

While formulating laws for the nation in Abuja, this Amazon never forgot her first love, football. No wonder she has since revived her pet club, Omidiran Babes, a team that made waves in the Women’s League in Nigeria a few years ago.

A woman with a heart of gold, lover of youth, Alhaja Omidiran was recently reappointed chairperson of women’s football at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), from where she’s expected to get back her position at the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

I had a no hold barred chat with this
Osun state born businesswoman recently and I bet it will be worth your time. Happy reading.


Q: May we meet you, Madam.

A: My name is Alhaja Ayo Omidiran. My parents, Alhaji Abubakar Baralola and Alhaja Samia Baralola, are late. My dad had four wives, my mum was the second. I am married to Alhaji
Ademola Omidiran.


Q: Where are you from

A: I am from Ikire in Irewole Local Government Area of Osun state.

Q: Tell us about your educational background

A: I attended AUD Primary School, Ikire; Ayedaade Grammar School, Ikire and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria where I studied Biochemistry

Q: What was growing up like?

A: Growing up was fun; a lot of fun. I’m from a large family and we related very well with one another. We had healthy competition growing up with every child wanting to be the best without undermining each other.

A: What prepared you for football administration?

A: Nothing. I love sports but I’m very passionate about football. It’s easy when you love what you do

Q: Work experience after graduation

A: It’s been business all the way. I am into bulk trading in beauty products. I took to business so that I will have time for my family.

Q: How much of football did you play growing up?

A: I played football for recreation and not professionally. It was unthinkable for girls to play football seriously when I was growing up

Q: Tell us the story of Omidiran Babes Football Club and why you disbanded the club

A: I started Omidiran Babes Football club as a hobby and my own way of developing our young women to take them off the streets. I sponsored the club From 1997 till 2006. I was no longer deriving any satisfaction from the project and had to let go

Q: Why did you decide to resuscitate Omidiran Babes?

A: Football is important to me and this is one way I give back to my society. It is a way to engage the girl child.I resisted the urge but it wasn’t going to be for long. However, the club is now being run under the auspices of my Foundation.

Q: Did anyone in your family do sports?

A: Nobody in my family did sports seriously

Q: How did you meet your husband?

A: I met my husband immediately after my Youth Service (NYSC).  We met at Ikire, my hometown and we became friends. His calmness attracted him to me. He’s very matured and level headed. He’s able to handle my tantrums and I really respect him a lot

Q: You played a pivotal role in the formation of the Nigeria Women’s League (NWL).Ttell us about it.

A: We started the Women’s Professional League when I was chairperson of the women’s football committee of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA). It was a project after my heart and it took two to three years to finally make it happen. It is a legacy I’m very proud of

Q: What was the experience like as a board member of the NFA?

A: As a board member of the NFA, my focus was women’s football. And we did very well. That was the golden era of women’s football in Nigeria

Q: What were the challenges you faced as part of the women’s league?

A: Many challenges. Though we had sponsors but the money wasn’t enough for our programmes

Q: What were the positive things your board did that benefited women’s football in Nigeria?

A: The board started professional women’s football league and gave women’s football clubs their own identity. That’s a big deal

Q: Does politics run in your family?

A: Yes, politics runs in my family even though no member of my family has gone for elective position before. My father was a party leader in the old Western State. He chaired his party at a time during the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) days

Q: Are your kids into sports?

A: My children love sports. Some play football and other sports like swimming, running and badminton.

Q: Any regrets in life?

A: No regrets. Every experience has been a lesson learned

Q: Any Phobia?

A: Fear of heights. I love flying but I have phobia for high floors. I can’t look down.

Q: Role model

A: The German chancellor, Angela Merkel. She’s homely though very successful in politics

Q: How religious are you?

A: I have faith in God Almighty and keep matters of faith very private. I am a Muslim.

Q: Can you recall pranks you played as a kid that got you in serious trouble?
A: Really can’t recall any specific prank.

Q: A lot of people consider you a very rich woman. Is it true?

A: I’m okay by the grace of God. Being rich is relative

Q: What is your most cherished asset?

A: None. Nothing is irreplaceable except life

Q: First automobile and your favorite brand

A: A Peugeot pick up was my first. However, I’m in love with Mercedes Benz automobiles

Q: You dress very well and simply, who did you take after?

A: No one. I dress to satisfy myself.

Q: You were in a male dominated House of Representatives, what was the experience like?

A: It was a privilege that money couldn’t buy, finding yourself in a position to contribute towards the growth of your country is indeed a privilege. Again, I’m comfortable amongst men. I don’t get intimidated

Q: Why didn’t you go for a third term?

A: I had served two terms and it was time for someone else from my constituency. I gave it my best and I am delighted that I projected my people and contributed on the floor of the house on issues that affected Nigeria and her people.


Q: Unforgettable moments as a member of parliament and achievements

A: I had many unforgettable moments in the House of Representatives like my first and second inauguration days, my first motion, my first bill and so on.

Q: What’s your ultimate goal in politics? 

A: No goal other than to remain a worthy representative of my people in any capacity and whatever position I serve.

Q: You’re so beautiful and elegant, what are your secrets?

A: No beauty secrets. It’s the grace of God. However, I keep an open mind and don’t hold any grudge.

Q: Please share your daily beauty routine.

A: Light exercise before bathing. Moisturising my body and applying light makeup. A nice perfume completes my routine

Q. Have you ever been stalked by the opposite sex?

A: I’ve been stalked many times

Q: As a politician, you’re hardly at home with your family. You travel a lot. Is your husband comfortable with this?

A: We’re a traveling family. We’re used to being away from home. It isn’t strange to my family. Most of the time, I travel with my husband and I visit my children very often. I spend more time with my family than most people can comprehend. It’s a closely knit family and we keep to ourselves.

Q: How sociable are you. Do you keep friends and do you go to clubs?

A: I have friends but I don’t go clubbing any longer. Clubbing is for my children now

Q: Do you love movies, which is your favorite?

A: I love movies. All sorts. I love watching Yoruba movies especially. I laugh a lot so I watch a lot of comedy films. I watched “The Wedding Party” many times and still want to watch it again.

Q: What is the secret of your meteoric rise to the top?

A: I’m not yet at the top. This is just the beginning by God’s grace

Q: Favorite color

A: All shades of green. Then white

Q: When did you make your first million?

A: I don’t remember. It wasn’t important to me. Money isn’t.

Q: What did you do with your first salary?

A: I bought gifts for a lot of people, especially friends especially. It was exciting

Q: Most memorable moments in life.

A: I have many so I can’t choose the most memorable. God has been very kind to me

Q: How do you unwindand favorite food?

A: I love to dance. I watch football (any match, any type) and I read a lot.My favorite foods are beans and amala in that order

Q: Which other sport do you enjoy aside football?

A: Football. Lol

Q: Most difficult phase in your life

A: Having all my children in expensive schools at the same time. Unforgettable phase.

Q: Toughest decision ever taken

A: To participate actively in politics

Q: How did you get into football administration?

A: My husband encouraged me. My passion showed and other people took notice.

Q: It is rumored that you are eyeing the Osun state government house. Is it true?

A: It isn’t true

Q: You obviously enjoyed a very good relationship with your colleagues in the House of Representatives.

A: Yes, I enjoyed a very cordial relationship with my colleagues. I don’t discriminate

Q: What’s your impression about the NFF under Amaju Pinnick?

A: Under Amaju Pinnick, the NFF seems to be finding its feet only recently. Much time was wasted on post-election fights

Q: Why is it looking like it’s taking forever for the house to nail the coffin of decree 101?

A: I don’t know. That’s the truth

Q: How would you rate the Nigeria Professional Football League?

A: Getting better every season.

Q: What’s the way out of non-payment of players and officials salaries by club sides?

A: The judiciary. Players should seek redress in court because it is a breach of contract.

Q: Since the exit of Globacom, the NPFL has not been able to attract a title sponsor. Does this have anything to do with the economic realities of the country?

A: It certainly does. Times are hard.

Q: SuperSports who were the TV rights owners pulled out of the deal with the LMC, and that leaves the league without a TV platform. What does this portend for our league?

A: The league needs television to maintain its current position as the best in Africa. LMC must bring television back.

Q: It’s a fact that all 20 clubs in the NPFL are seen as social responsibility initiativesby their owners and not as businesses. Will the plan to list some of these clubs on the Stock Exchange lead to a new vista of growth and development?

A: Yes it will.

Q: The Women’s League is growing but not as fast as one would have expected despite the efforts of its chairperson, Aisha Falode. What is your message for her?

A: The women’s league board should get sponsors as soon as possible. I know it’s difficult but they should try their best. They need our support, too.

Q: Is the poor state of the economy to blame for club sides having more of fans than supporters?. Most NPFL clubs still give out their jerseys and other souvenirs free to their fans, pay the so called supporters clubs, transports them to and fro match venues, etc

A: It is the corporate social responsibility factor

Q: What can be done to ensure that Nigerians get to see at least 70% live NPFL games like it’s done in other countries?

A: We need to make our matches more attractive and match days fun days

Q: Is the ownership of club-sides by state governments not posing a challenge to the LMC and NWL quests to reposition the leagues?

A: Nothing is wrong with states owning clubs as long as they obey the rules

Q: In general terms, where has the LMC and NWL made inroads?

A: Better awareness and bringing more followers to the game in Nigeria

Q: The Super Falcons are African champions but their dominance of African football is waning.

A: We can maintain our top position in African football if our teams have better preparations for competitions and there is a more vibrant league back home

Q: What do we need to do to take our dominance of women’s football in Africa to the world stage?

A: Allow the coaches free hands to choose players they think can help them get favorable results. Nothing else matters at the end

Q: How would you assess the Super Eagles under Gernot Rohr?

A: The new Super Eagles are the Eagles of hope under Coach Rohr

Q: The NFF is always broke and at the mercy of the federal government for bailouts. What’s the way out of this over dependence?

A: Let the NFF embrace better marketing strategies

Q: Why is there always squabbles in the Glass House and public spats with the Sports Ministers?

A: I don’t know.

Q: Favorite accessories

A: Gold. Yellow, white and rose colors

Q: What dictates your dress sense?

A: I wear clothes that I feel comfortable in 

Q: How do you keep fit?

A: I climb stairs and walk to keep fit

Q: Favorite musician and why

A: Olamide, Wizkid, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Falz and a host of others.  I listen and dance to their music with pride.

Q: Have you ever thought of quitting politics?

A: No. The thought never crossed my mind

Q: Have you ever been discriminated against because of your gender?

A: I wouldn’t even notice. Gender discrimination is common though.

Q: What’s your advice for young women who want to be successful in life like you?

A: Be yourself and discover God’s special gift to you. Then, use it well to please God Almighty.