Hakeem Onitolo, who bagged a first class in Engineering at Unilag, sets sight on professional football

Hakeem at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium in Lagos State, Nigeria.
Balancing sports and academics
Balancing sports and academics was no easy feat for Hakeem. With rigorous training sessions and demanding coursework vying for his attention, he knew that effective time management would be the key to his success. Determined to excel in both fields, he properly planned his schedule, allocating specific times for training and studying, never allowing one pursuit to overshadow the other.

“I won’t lie, it was not easy, because when you come back from training, you’re tired. I see things differently because if I say I’m tired, I have time to press my phone. If I can press my phone, then I can do other things as well, so there’s no excuse. I avoided playing for overly demanding teams that didn’t accommodate my academic schedule, which is why I chose not to play for professional teams during my studies,” the versatile attacker said.

Best Graduating Student, Faculty of Environmental Science, University of Lagos.

Best Graduating Student, Department of Estate Management, University of Lagos.

FESSA Dean’s cup x 3 (Highest goal scorer x 2)

EMSA HOD cup x 2

EMSA Ballon D’or x 1

FESSA Sportsman of the year x… pic.twitter.com/Nn1JmtkpbD

— SCOREpion 🦂⚽🔥 (@Hakeem_Onitolo) January 16, 2024

Hakeem played for his departmental team, carting several awards, on and off the pitch. He became renowned for his goalscoring prowess, earning him the popular “H9” name on campus, since he donned the number 9 jersey.

Despite the challenges he faced, Hakeem’s academic achievements shone brightly, highlighting his relentless pursuit of excellence. He studied with vigour and it paid off handsomely when he graduated with first-class honours.

“I said it earlier, I simply did what needed to be done. I read as soon as I was out of class, and I didn’t wait until exams got near, which is why I said not many people can do what I do, I’m different. The major difference between first-class students and others is the amount of preparation done in advance.”

Onitolo in action.
Challenges
Hakeem’s journey was not without its obstacles. Like a lot of African parents, Hakeem’s parents weren’t exactly big fans of his aspirations to become a footballer, and along the line, his father passed away. While it was hard to be financially stable juggling life as a student-athlete, he had friends and family to lean on for support. After a while, he was allowed to chase his dream.

“It was a tussle between my mum and I, but I didn’t listen. Coaches came to my mum to speak to her to allow me to play, but she didn’t budge. After a while, she realized it was either she allowed me to pursue my dreams, or she’d risk losing her son. It got a bit easier after that,” the striker told Soccernet.ng.

Hakeem Onitolo: Born To Score!!#H9 💪🏾⚽️🔥

1/4 pic.twitter.com/wb08Q0u6G4

— SCOREpion 🦂⚽🔥 (@Hakeem_Onitolo) April 18, 2021

Dreams and Aspirations: Looking to the Future
Quizzed on his favourite moment of his career so far, the 5-ft-11-in tall striker recalled bailing out his departmental football team in the final of the HOD’s cup.

“We were a goal down, and we had just five minutes to play. It was the last action of the game and I scored, taking the game to penalties where we eventually won. I was so happy, but the best is yet to come.”

From clutch goals to championship victories, he left an indelible mark in the UNILAG football world. Yet, amidst the glory and accolades, he finds fulfilment in victory as a team.

“It’s not just about my goals. What’s the point if my team doesn’t win when I score? That’s why I give my all on the pitch, even aside from scoring. I go back to head corners out, I press from the front, and sometimes shout if I can, because I want to see my team win.”

Hakeem Onitolo celebrating with his teammates.
An avid Liverpool fan, Hakeem’s dream as a footballer will be donning the white colours of Real Madrid and playing for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

“My dream is to play for Real Madrid. I’ve always said it. They’re an institution that represents footballing excellence. I believe I am a very talented player and deserving of a career in sports. A professional football career will allow me to inspire and help others on a larger scale, and that includes playing for Nigeria. I know I will be a great footballer, but whether or not I will play for Madrid depends on the tiny margins of life and destiny.”