….Fourth Edition of Ekiti’s Flagship Schools Football Tournament Begins
….Champions Set to Pocket N1 Million
- By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
The fourth edition of the Agbeyewa Cup Football Tournament for Secondary Schools kicks off on Tuesday October 6th, 2026, with more than 140 schools drawn from all 16 local government areas of Ekiti State set to do battle for a total prize purse of N2.5 million.
Now firmly established as one of the most anticipated fixtures on Ekiti’s youth sporting calendar, the Agbeyewa Cup has grown from a modest schools’ initiative into a season-defining showcase of grassroots football talent, discipline, and community pride.
This year’s champions will walk away with N1 million, with the first runner-up collecting N750,000, the second runner-up N500,000, and the third-place finisher taking home N250,000 — rewards that underscore Agbeyewa Farms’ growing investment in youth development through sport.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Dauda Lawal, Director of Community Engagement at Agbeyewa Farms, said the fourth edition carries both symbolic and practical weight for the state’s young footballers.
“We are delighted to host the fourth edition of the Agbeyewa Cup. This year’s edition is a promise to Nigerians — particularly those in Ekiti — that they can look forward to a vibrant showcase of talent and excitement at every stage of the competition,” Lawal said.
“Beyond football, the Agbeyewa Cup is about building character, resilience, and community spirit among young people. It reflects our Chairman, Niyi John Olajide’s vision of empowering the next generation to thrive both on and off the field.”
Also speaking ahead of the tournaments kickoff, the Managing Director/CEO of Agbeyewa Farms, Mr. Seyi “Oska” Aiyeleso, described the tournament as a vehicle for opportunity that has long outgrown its footballing origins.
“The Agbeyewa Cup has grown beyond football. It is about creating opportunities for young people to express themselves, develop discipline, build confidence, and showcase their talent,” Aiyeleso said. “With 140 schools participating across Ekiti State, we are excited about the reach of this year’s competition and the chance to touch more young lives through sport.”
He added that Agbeyewa Farms remains committed to initiatives that deepen its relationship with host communities and support the holistic development of young people across the state.
According to the fixture schedule released by the Directorate of School Sports at the Ekiti State Ministry of Education, the 2026 edition will open with preliminary rounds contested across all 16 local government areas. Winning teams from each LGA will then advance through a knockout structure — Round of 16, Quarterfinals, and Semifinals — before the competition culminates in a grand finale double-header at the Kayode Oluyemi Stadium, Ado-Ekiti, scheduled for October 28th, where the third-place playoff and the final will decide this year’s champions.
Since its inception in 2023, the Agbeyewa Cup has steadily built its reputation as a proving ground for Ekiti’s finest young talent. During the 2023 Inaugural Edition, Christ School, Ado-Ekiti, lifted the trophy as the tournament’s first-ever champions. In 2024, Omuo-Ore High School claimed the title, while in 2025 Aramoko District Commercial High School (ADICO) triumphed in a thrilling final to become the reigning champions heading into 2026.
Each edition has raised the competitive bar, drawing larger fields, sharper football, and growing public attention — a trajectory the organizers hope the 2026 tournament will extend further still.
The Agbeyewa Cup is an annual football tournament for secondary schools, organized in partnership with the Ekiti State Ministry of Education. It forms a central pillar of Agbeyewa Farms’ corporate social responsibility programme, delivered through its Directorate of Community Engagement, which remains committed to championing initiatives that strengthen communities and transform lives across Ekiti State.
Over four editions, the tournament has evolved into one of the most eagerly anticipated youth sporting events in the state — a testament to Agbeyewa Farms’ enduring commitment to empowering the next generation, on the pitch and beyond it.
