From Poverty to Purpose: How Basketball Led Him Home to Build Wells and Give Back

Basketball became a lifeline for Adeola Ajayi during his teenage years in Sango Ota, Nigeria. What started as a passion for the sport grew into an opportunity to change his life and eventually give back to the community that shaped him.

In 2009, Ajayi earned a high school basketball scholarship to play in the United States. This was the beginning of a new chapter—one that would take him far from the cramped living conditions he had known growing up. Raised in a small 9-by-9-foot apartment with his parents and three siblings, Ajayi faced significant economic challenges. Shared kitchens and bathrooms were part of daily life, and there were mornings when food was scarce. Basketball became his escape, offering both solace and hope.

A pivotal moment came when he saw a poster of Nigerian NBA player Olumide Oyedeji, which ignited a belief that someone from his background could also achieve greatness. That dream carried him through high school in the U.S., where he initially attracted college scouts. Unfortunately, injuries derailed his junior season, and he was not recruited for college basketball. Undeterred, Ajayi walked on at the College of the Ozarks but ultimately had to retire after two seasons due to recurring injuries requiring multiple surgeries.

After graduation, Ajayi relocated to Kansas City, Missouri, where he found work as a concierge at One Light Luxury Apartments in the Power & Light District. While building a life in the U.S., social media kept him connected to Sango Ota. He saw how many children still lived without basic necessities—clean water, proper infrastructure, and educational opportunities. The disparity weighed heavily on him.

Determined to make a difference, Ajayi founded The Adeola Ajayi Foundation in 2019 with support from his employer, Cordish Companies, and local businesses like KC Hooley House and Kryger Glass. Each year, the foundation hosts a free basketball camp in Sango Ota for children aged 4 to 17, providing coaching, mentorship, and essential supplies.

What began as a sports clinic has grown into a broader initiative focused on sustainable community development. In addition to building a basketball court, the foundation drilled two water wells and provided food, shoes, hygiene products, and backpacks filled with essentials to over 200 children annually.

Ajayi credits the generosity of Kansas City residents and businesses for making this possible. “No one is paid for their work with the foundation,” he explains. “We’re all volunteers. Every dollar goes directly to helping kids.”

Partners like the Power & Light District have played a crucial role in amplifying the foundation’s impact. Dana Witt Fulks, director of marketing and communications for the district, praised Ajayi’s dedication: “His passion is genuine, and the impact is real. He donates his own time and energy to meet specific needs and lift up others.”

Though more than 15 years have passed since Ajayi left Nigeria, he now returns each year to invest in the future of his hometown. His journey from a small apartment in Sango Ota to leading a cross-continental humanitarian effort is a testament to resilience, gratitude, and the power of community.