When the gates opened at the newly unveiled Sanwo-Olu Mini Stadium in Sura, Lagos Island, and the Alade Pitch in Alimosho just one day later, they opened to more than just football enthusiasts. They opened to possibility, opportunity, and hope for thousands of young people across Lagos State.

This ambitious project, executed by SBI Media on behalf of technology brand TECNO, represents a significant investment in Nigeria's youth, running into hundreds of millions of naira. But more importantly, it represents a shift in how corporations are thinking about their role in community development: moving from temporary interventions to lasting infrastructure that will serve generations to come.

The two professionally built sporting hubs were unveiled during the final week of December 2024, with the Sanwo-Olu Mini Stadium launching on December 23 and the Alade Pitch following on December 24. Both facilities were designed with accessibility and safety at their core, ensuring that young people across Lagos have welcoming spaces to hone their athletic skills, build friendships, and stay engaged in positive activities.

SBI Media, one of Nigeria's leading advertising and marketing communications agencies, managed every aspect of this transformative project. From strategic planning and stakeholder engagement to infrastructure development, project supervision, launch execution, and media coordination, the agency demonstrated that marketing firms can be powerful agents of social change when they commit to purpose-led work.

The Ripple Effect

The impact of these facilities extends far beyond the boundary lines of the pitches themselves. By creating safe, accessible sporting spaces in communities where such infrastructure is often scarce, the project addresses multiple social needs simultaneously. Young people gain spaces for talent development and physical activity. Communities receive hubs for social inclusion and engagement. And Lagos State strengthens its grassroots sports ecosystem, potentially nurturing the next generation of Nigerian football stars.

The significance of the initiative was reflected in the caliber of dignitaries who attended the launch ceremonies. Government officials and sports administrators turned out in force, including Lagos State's Commissioner for Youth and Social Development Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, Lagos State Sports Commission Director General Mr. Lekan Fatodu, and several special assistants to both the President and Governor on sports-related matters.

Rotimi Bankole, Managing Director of SBI Media, captured the spirit of the project beautifully: "This project is not just about advertising or visibility. It is about building infrastructure that empowers young people, strengthens communities and leaves a lasting legacy."

TECNO's Managing Director, Mr. Chidi, emphasized that the pitches represent platforms for talent discovery and personal development, reflecting the brand's deep commitment to youth empowerment.

What makes this initiative particularly inspiring is its demonstration that brands and agencies can create meaningful, lasting change when they collaborate with genuine purpose. These aren't temporary installations or symbolic gestures. They're permanent community assets that will serve thousands of young Nigerians for years to come, fostering talent, building character, and creating opportunities where they're needed most.