The Story of Sarafadeen Olalekan Oyeleke
The OFORDIS (Oyeleke Olalekan Foundation for the Disabled) is a non-governmental organization that empowers individuals with disabilities through sports and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Based in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, the organization aims to bridge the digital divide by equipping athletes with disabilities with essential digital skills and fostering inclusive opportunities.
Our flagship project, the Inclusive Athlete Initiative, trains young athletes with disabilities in digital literacy, including graphic design and Microsoft Office applications, with the objective of enhancing their employability and social inclusion. We have established collaborative relationships with prominent organizations, including the Nigeria Amputee Football Federation, the Kwara State Sports Commission, the Kwara State Amputee Football Association, The Polytechnic of Igbo-Owu, and the Teworh Rockstar Academy, powered by the Roxbourg Institute of Social Entrepreneurship (RISE), Switzerland to coach candidates to earn a Roxbourg Athlete MBA degree.
Collaborations with media platforms such as Sportspro News and Abu-Zahra Printing Enterprise are in place to raise awareness of the challenges faced by people with disabilities and to promote the organization's impact. As a social enterprise, OFORDIS sustains its initiatives through coaching, consulting, product sales, and sponsorships. OFORDIS's long-term vision is to create an inclusive society where individuals with disabilities have full access to opportunities in education, employment, and sports. This commitment is demonstrated through the establishment of ongoing partnerships, the provision of digital skills training, and the facilitation of sports engagement. OFORDIS is dedicated to transforming disability into a catalyst for empowerment, leveraging its role as a social enterprise to drive positive social change.
When did you realize you wanted to be a social entrepreneur? How did you define your purpose?
On August 18, 2015, I, Sarafadeen Olalekan Oyeleke, founder of the Hope for Disabled Project (HODIPRO), now the OFORDIS Foundation, started a journey that would change my life. I was born with a passion for football, but after I lost my right leg, that passion became my purpose: to empower people with disabilities through sports. While I was participating in my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), I initiated a Community Development Service (CDS) project titled "The Synergy between the Physically Challenged Football League and Its Contribution to National Development," which led to the 1st Kwara State Amputee Talent Hunt/Football Tournament. This project established Nigeria's first amputee football initiative, where I mentored athletes and founded the Kwara Amputee Football Team. I remained committed, and through my efforts, I developed amputee football in Kwara State, North Central Zone. I also advanced the sport's development across Nigeria and created significant opportunities for the community of people with disabilities.
What was your first project? What were your lessons learned?
My first project was establishing the Kwara Amputee Football Team through the Hope for Disabled Project (HODIPRO) back in 2015. We organized the first Kwara State Amputee Talent Hunt and Football Tournament, which aimed to empower people with disabilities through sports. The most important lesson I learned was the profound impact resilience and community can have on transforming people's lives. Even when resources were scarce and we faced skepticism, we demonstrated that when individuals with disabilities are given opportunities, they can achieve remarkable things. It also highlighted the importance of collaboration, strategic planning, and advocacy in making a lasting impact.
Describe your journey. Smooth sailing or a roller coaster ride?
My journey has been a rollercoaster, with plenty of challenges and successes along the way. I lost my leg and had to contend with societal prejudice, but I also established the Kwara Amputee Football Team and was in charge of the Nigeria National Amputee Football Team (Special Eagles) when they reached the first-ever African Amputee Football Cup of Nations (AAFCON) final in 2019 in Angola, where we secured a silver medal. I'm proud to say I persisted and never gave up. It took considerable persistence to launch initiatives with limited resources and to develop the amputee football scene in Nigeria. Every setback was an opportunity to learn and grow, and every success reinforced my conviction in the power of using sports and empowerment to create lasting change for people with disabilities.
What are you building right now? What is your ambition?
I'm currently working on the EmpowerABILITY project through the OFORDIS Foundation, which is focused on enhancing the skills of athletes, coaches, technical assistants, administrators, and stakeholders by equipping them with the necessary tools to succeed through sports entrepreneurship in amputee football. Our goal is to create a sustainable framework that provides people with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the sports industry. We are integrating digital skills training with adaptive sports development to encourage entrepreneurship, financial independence, and leadership within the amputee football community. Simultaneously, we are advocating for the sport's growth across Nigeria and creating lasting opportunities for people with disabilities.
How can everyone support you?
Everyone can get involved by partnering with the OFORDIS Foundation to promote our EmpowerABILITY project. You can do this by offering funding, sponsorships, or other resources. Individuals with expertise in coaching, digital training, or mentorship are encouraged to volunteer their time and skills. Organizations can also partner with us to build on our capacity-building initiatives, provide sports equipment, or offer platforms to amplify our work. Furthermore, sharing our mission on social media and at our events helps build a broader support network. Together, we can create an environment where people with disabilities can thrive through sports and entrepreneurship in amputee football.
If you would like to learn more about the OFORDIS Foundation, please visit our website and social media pages:
