Olusegun Patrick Odegbami is one of the Africa’s unsung heroes that paved way for the current crop of African athletes — a living legend whose story must be told to the world. His life is a compelling portrait of talent, patriotism, and purpose; a story that transcends football and reaches into the soul of a continent still yearning for role models who uplift and inspire.
Known globally as “Mathematical Odegbami,” his rise from Jos, a city in North-Central Nigeria, a boy with a dream, to a continental football icon and national development advocate places him among the class of great African trailblazers. In an age where sporting greatness is often measured by fleeting fame, Segun Odegbami’s legacy endures — not just for the goals he scored, but for the lives he continues to impact. From the thunderous applause in Lagos’ National Stadium to the quiet fields of his sports academy in Ogun State, his influence spans generations.
Born on August 27, 1952, in Wasimi, Ogun State, South West Nigeria and raised in Jos, Plateau State, Segun Odegbami was nurtured in a disciplined, education-focused home. His father, Jacob Adebola Odegbami, was a headmaster and strict disciplinarian who instilled values of excellence and character in him. Segun attended St. Morumba’s College, Jos and played for the school together with a former Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Director General, Mallam Yakubu Ibn Mohammed before enrolling at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, where he studied engineering. It was there that he combined mental sharpness with raw athletic talent, earning the nickname “Mathematical Odegbami” — not just for his academic background, but for his intelligent, calculated style of play on the pitch.
Odegbami began his professional football career with NTC Football Club , moved on to Housing Corporation FC , both in Ibadan before joining IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan in the early 1975. As a right winger, he possessed explosive pace, mesmerizing dribbles with his trade mark clinical touch line runs, and a perfect finishing ability that made him a standout performer. In 1976, he led Shooting Stars to continental glory by winning the African Cup Winners’ Cup, making the club the first Nigerian side to lift a continental trophy. Odegbami was not just a player; he was the heartbeat of the team – talisman, and strategist. That hugely talented team was captained by mercurial Samuel Ojebode.
His international debut came in 1976 for the Nigerian national team, the Green Eagles. Over the next decade, he became a cornerstone of the squad and a symbol of Nigerian excellence.
His finest hour came during the 1980 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), hosted by Nigeria. In the final against Algeria, Odegbami’s brilliance sealed victory, scoring two crucial goals in a 3–0 win that earned Nigeria its first-ever AFCON title. The nation roared in celebration, and Odegbami became a national hero with popular musicians singing about his heroics at the tournament in a folklore manner. The iconic Segun Odegbami shared the golden boot in this championship as a joint top goalscorer with Morocco’s Khalid Labied both having scored 3 goals each.
The Brazilian coach, Otto Glória’s well-drilled side had in its ranks unusual talents like Goalkeepers Best Ogedegbe and Emmanuel Okala, David Adiele, Captain Christian Chukwu, Tunde Bamidele, Alloysius Atuegbu, Godwin Odiye, Felix Owolabi, Okey Isima, Muda Lawal, Adokiye Amiesimaka, Khadiri Ikhana and many more. He inspired this same generation to the football tournament of the summer Olympics in Moscow later this year. 1980 being clearly the best year of his career, he narrowly lost the African footballer the year award to the legendary Canon Yaoundé prolific striker, Jean Manga Onguéné. This second position in the prestigious Continental award was the highest level to be reached by any Nigerian footballer as at that point.
He retired with 23 goals in 46 appearances, a remarkable feat for a winger, and that placed him among Nigeria’s greatest footballers of all time.
After hanging up his boots in the early 1980s, Odegbami embraced a new role — that of a football analyst, writer, and broadcaster. His eloquent voice became a force in Nigerian sports media, where he championed integrity, development, and reform. In 2015, he entered the global stage by declaring interest in the FIFA presidency, aiming to bring an African perspective to the highest office in world football. Though he eventually withdrew due to nomination hurdles, his ambition inspired many across the continent.
Among Odegbami’s most significant contributions is the establishment of the Segun Odegbami International College and Sports Academy (SOCA) in Wasimi, Ogun State. SOCA merges academic education with professional sports training, aiming to raise disciplined, intelligent athletes — not just for football, but for society.
Through this institution, Odegbami continues to mentor, guide, and equip a new generation of Nigerian youth. His model prioritizes character, competence, and commitment, reflecting his personal journey and values.
“We are not just building players here; we are building future leaders,” he says.
Segun Odegbami’s life is more than a football story — it is the narrative of an African hero. From the classrooms of Ibadan to the global stage, from championship glory to grassroots transformation, he has remained committed to Nigeria’s progress. As a player, he thrilled a continent. As a leader, he challenges systems. He remains one of the continent’s reservoir of knowledge in challenging times. As a mentor, he uplifts generations. Odegbami’s enduring legacy reminds us that greatness is not defined only by what you achieve, but by what you leave behind. He remains one of the individuals the world over that can beat his chest with pride and say “I have impacted the world”.
References:
- BBC Sport. Segun Odegbami: The Mathematical Genius of Nigerian Football. BBC World Service, 2006.
- CAF Online. African Club History – Shooting Stars of Nigeria. Confederation of African Football.
- ESPN FC Africa Archives. Odegbami: Hero of 1980 AFCON. ESPN.
- Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Player Stats Database.
- The Guardian Nigeria. Odegbami Pulls Out of FIFA Presidential Race. November 2015.
- Punch Newspapers. Odegbami Launches Sports Academy in Ogun. April 2018.
- Vanguard Nigeria. Odegbami Urges Sports Reform in Nigeria. September 2022.
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Story edited by Kehinde Fagbuaro
Contributions from Godwin Dudu-Orumen (Esq)
