From Ibadan to the World: The Inspiring Journey of Sulaimon Taofikat Opeyemi
The meteoric rise of Sulaimon Taofikat Opeyemi, winner of the women’s 200m final at the MTN CHAMPS athletics grand finale in Ibadan, is a testament to the power of talent identification and consistent investment in young athletes.
Clocking an impressive 24.06 seconds at the ultra-modern Lekan Salami stadium at Adamasingba in Ibadan, Taofikat stunned seasoned national stars, further cementing her reputation after strong performances at the African and World University Games in Ghana and Germany last year.
Her journey began in 2017 at the inaugural Lagelu FM Inter-Secondary School Relay. Dr. Isaac Friday Ogada, Chairman of the Oyo State Athletics Association and proprietor of Brightville College, recalls the pivotal moment.
‘I met a young girl crying at the gate of the University of Ibadan sports complex. She was determined to compete despite her school’s withdrawal due to political directives. Right there, I awarded her a scholarship to Brightville College. That decision changed everything,’ Ogada recalls.
From that day, Taofikat flourished.
She represented Oyo State at the National Youth Games, winning bronze medals in the 100m in 2019 and 2021, alongside podium finishes in long jump and relays.
At Brightville College, she anchored her team to gold at the Value Jet Southwest Relay in Sagamu with a blistering 42.80s in the 4x100m, forming the fastest secondary school relay quartet in Oyo State and the Southwest.
Her consistency earned her recognition as Lagelu FM Ambassador, while her academic brilliance shone through as she maintained scholarships and graduated with excellent results.
With the support of Oyo State Sports Council coaches led by Emilia Oyase, she secured admission to study Human Kinetics at the Federal University of Oye Ekiti, where she continued to excel at NUGA, WAUG, AUG, and WUGA competitions.
Dr. Ogada expressed gratitude to all who contributed to her success.
‘I thank God I invested in her, because the outcome is worth celebrating. My appreciation goes to Governor Seyi Makinde, Lagelu FM, the Oyo State Sports Council, coaches Emilia Oyase, Raji Ismael, Akin, Yakubu Olayiwola, and our secretary Mrs. Gbemi Tabi.
‘I also thank the staff, parents, Brightville students, and journalists who supported her journey. The young has grown, and Taofikat’s road to stardom is now very clear,’ Ogada said.
