A young boy who once lived in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Benue State is set to begin a professional football career in Europe, marking a remarkable turnaround from a life of hardship to international opportunity.
Terdoo Adema, now 18, was first discovered in 2019 at Daudu IDP Camp 2 during a talent scouting event organized by Ontrade Football Academy. The event featured Nigerian-born former international footballer and ex-captain of Wimbledon FC, John Fashanu, who visited the camp in search of raw, untapped talent.
During the visit, Adema, then just 13 years old, boldly participated in a two-a-side football match with Fashanu. His skillful display of technique and football intelligence stunned both the organizers and the camp residents, earning him instant recognition.
However, despite the promise he showed, contact with the young talent was lost for several years, leading many to believe that his opportunity had slipped away.
Adema, undeterred by the setbacks, continued to train and develop his skills within the confines of the IDP camp. In a twist of fate, he was later referred to participate in another scouting project by Friday Onoja, a camp manager who was unaware of his previous encounter with the Academy.
During a routine presentation of players to the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), a staff member immediately recognized Adema from the 2019 scouting event. The recognition confirmed his identity and reignited the dream that once seemed out of reach.
“This is the same boy we discovered five years ago,” the SEMA officer, who had served as the camp manager at the time of the original event, said emotionally. “Seeing him again, now more skilled and matured, is nothing short of inspirational.”
According to Helen Aisha Ogenyi, convener of the scouting project, Adema is now en route to Europe to pursue a professional football career. She described his journey as a testament to resilience, divine favour, and the untapped potential that exists in Nigeria’s IDP camps.
“Terdoo’s story highlights the immense talent that lies hidden in our displaced communities. We must not allow these lives to waste away. Government and stakeholders need to act decisively to address the root causes of displacement and create opportunities for young people,” Ogenyi said.
Benue State, often plagued by conflict and communal violence, is home to thousands of displaced persons, many of whom are children and youth with limited access to education, sports, and development programs.
Adema’s story is a beacon of hope — a powerful example of how opportunity and support can transform lives even in the most difficult circumstances.
As he prepares to take the next step in his football journey, stakeholders and advocates hope his story will inspire action to address the systemic issues facing internally displaced persons across Nigeria.
