“After more than two decades representing Nigeria on the global stage, including six FIFA Women’s World Cup appearances, Onome Ebi retired from international football feeling adrift, forgotten, and uncertain about the future.
Ebi said, “You came into my life at a time when I was quietly slipping into the shadows,” adding “After 20 years of playing for my beloved country… I found myself almost in silence. No contacts, no direction, no one to hold the door open after retiring from the national team.”
But that silence was broken through the FIFA Players’ Executive Program, a transformative initiative designed to empower former players for leadership roles in football governance and advocacy.
She said, “FIFA didn’t just give me a course; they gave me hope. They gave me back my voice.” “I rediscovered something I thought I had lost: purpose.”
Today, Ebi proudly stands as the Players’ Advocate for Africa, a role that allows her to champion the rights, welfare, and development of footballers across the continent.
She credits the program for igniting her passion to give back and ensure no player feels forgotten.
“This is the name of the new chapter of my life. Not because I figured it all out, but because FIFA created the space for me to rediscover who I truly am. You reminded me that I still matter in the world of football, that I still have something powerful to give back.”
Ebi’s appointment signifies not only her personal transformation but also a broader movement to amplify voices of former players, drive reform, and build stronger support systems for athletes post-retirement.
In her closing words, Ebi expressed deep gratitude: “I want to thank you sincerely for believing in forgotten voices like mine for planting the seeds that are now growing into healing, justice, and new beginnings for African players. May God bless you richly for every life you touch, because you truly changed mine.”
As one of Africa’s most decorated female footballers, Ebi’s journey from the pitch to advocacy is a testament to resilience, faith, and the enduring power of opportunity.”
