Rasheedat Ajibade’s story is one of those that stays with you long after you hear it. From sharing a small room with ten people in Mushin Idi-Araba to lifting trophies on the international stage and becoming a national VIP, her journey is both heartbreaking and deeply inspiring.
She grew up in a compound with over a hundred people. Life was hard. She washed toilets and bathrooms for money, sold kunu and zobo to survive, and after losing her father as a child, she hawked sugar and charcoal. There were days when food meant nothing more than garri. But even then, her family chose not to beg.
Football was her way out, though the struggle followed her there too. She played for FC Robo in Nigeria for ten years without earning a salary. At just seventeen, she left for Norway, carrying her dreams but also dealing with illness, injury, and crushing loneliness. That was when depression set in. She remembers thinking about giving it all up, even picturing herself collapsing on the pitch and never waking up.
In the middle of that pain, something shifted. Her relationship with God became sweeter. She began to see her life as bigger than her suffering. She saw her trophies not just as medals, but as tools to inspire those coming after her.
Today, as a Super Falcons star, Rasheedat speaks about survival, faith, and purpose with striking honesty. She has walked away from big endorsement deals with alcohol and betting companies because she refuses to compromise her values. To her, fame is not about what she can take, but about what she can give — guidance, hope, and an example of integrity for her generation.
Her story is layered with defining moments. Playing at WAFCON, she reminded herself that while human effort matters, God is the true source of strength. She has kept her humility despite trophies and fame, and she continues to balance hard work with faith. She also speaks candidly about how the federal government has yet to pay the 100,000 dollars promised to WAFCON winners, though she remains optimistic.
From a crowded room in Mushin to some of the biggest football stages in the world, Rasheedat Ajibade’s journey is proof that grace is real.
Watch Here : https://vimeo.com/1109453392
