Saraki hails rise of 18‑year‑old Zadok Yohanna after £21.5m Brighton transfer
Abdullateef Fowewe
Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki has praised the remarkable ascent of 18‑year‑old Nigerian footballer Zadok Yohanna after the teenager completed a reported £21.5 million move to Brighton.
Saraki in a statement on Sunday said the story proves sport can transform young lives.
“Somebody sent me the Zadok Yohanna story this morning and honestly, I had to read it twice,” Saraki wrote.
He quoted Yohanna’s journey, “Born in Bauchi. Moved to Kaduna on his own as a young boy to chase a football dream.
Flew to Sweden less than a year ago. And today, at just 18 years old, Brighton have reportedly signed him for £21.5 million, beating some of the biggest clubs in world football to secure his signature.”
Saraki used the transfer to underline his long‑standing belief in youth development through sport.
“When people ask me why I still believe in sports as a pathway for youth development, stories like this are part of my answer,” he wrote.
He warned that talent alone is not enough, “What is often missing is opportunity, structure, support and belief.”
Linking the achievement to his own initiatives, Saraki highlighted the role of academies in nurturing talent.
He said his Kwara Football Academy and ABS Ilorin FC helped produce professionals such as Dennis Emmanuel Bonaventure and Mubarak Gata.
He urged the Nigeria Football Federation, the National Sports Commission and the National Institute for Sports to “look into creating the enabling environment for more football academies aimed at discovering more talents like Zadok Yohanna.”
Addressing young Nigerians, Saraki offered encouragement, “To every young person chasing a dream that seems impossible today: keep going. Your current circumstances do not have to define your future.”
He also congratulated Yohanna directly while reminding him to remain humble, “The whole world can now see your talent, but this is only the beginning. Keep working, stay grounded, and never forget the journey that brought you here. As you said yourself, ‘I know where I came from.’ Hold on to that mindset.”
