Bobby Okojie, aka Edo Boy, Reflects on Nigerian Football and the way forward

In this engaging conversation, Nigerian entertainer Bobby Okojie, popularly known as Edo Boy, opens up about his journey into content creation, his deep-rooted love for football, his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, and the emotional rollercoasters the sport has brought him.

When did you realise content creation could become a full-time career?

I began to seriously consider it around 2018, during my first year at UNIBEN. But it wasn’t until 2021 that I truly saw its potential as a career path. That was the year I featured in a YouTube series called Young Love—a project by a friend of mine. I ended up playing the lead, and the character really resonated with the audience. That role went viral and made me believe I could make a career out of this. Plus, seeing my friend already earning a good living from content creation was a huge motivator. That’s when it clicked: this could really work for me.

What inspired the move into sports-related content?

Football has always been a big part of my life. I played during my school days and I’ve always been a die-hard fan—Arsenal is my team, but I’ve admired Cristiano Ronaldo from the beginning.

In early 2022, I planned a skit where I was pretending to cheat on my girlfriend. The excuse in the skit was that I was going to play football, so I figured I should wear a jersey to make it believable. Ronaldo had just returned to Manchester United, so I got a Man U jersey—despite being an Arsenal fan—and customised it with the number 7. But instead of using Ronaldo’s name or mine, I put “GOAT” on the back.

At the end of the video, my friend suggested I mimic Ronaldo’s iconic free-kick stance. I tried it, even without fully executing the move. We posted it online, and the response was massive. People loved it. That moment sparked a whole new direction for me. I began fusing football references into my skits, and the "GOAT" concept took off. I even used a random voice note I found online to enhance it—and everything just fell into place. My love for the game merged naturally with my comedy, and it became a signature style.

Which historic Nigerian sporting moment do you wish you had experienced live?

Honestly, I only began following Nigerian football more seriously in recent years. We rarely go far in major tournaments, so there hasn’t been a specific moment I desperately wished I’d seen live—yet. But if Nigeria ever reaches a World Cup quarter-final or semi-final, I’d love to witness that from the stands.

That said, one past event I wish I could’ve experienced was the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Nigeria won the gold medal, and people still talk about it with pride. That must have been incredible to see live.

Who do you consider the greatest African footballer of all time?

For me, it’s Jay-Jay Okocha. Even though I didn’t get to watch him live, I’ve seen enough footage and read enough about him to know how special he was. His skill, his flair—it was something else. Plus, the way European legends speak about him in interviews says a lot. He might not have had the longest career, but his impact was undeniable.

Other African legends that come to mind are Didier Drogba, Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mané. But Okocha stands out for me.

Which Nigerian player do you think is most underrated?

One of the challenges in Nigerian football is the lack of consistency in the squad. Players change too often, making it hard to build momentum. That said, from the current team, I’d point to Victor Osimhen. While many Nigerians rate him highly, I still feel he doesn't get the full recognition he deserves—even here at home.

Would you consider investing in sports someday?

Absolutely. That’s part of my long-term vision. If I find myself in a position where I have the means, I’ll definitely invest in sports. It’s given me so much—personally and professionally—and I want to give back. I’d love to see one of my children pursue sports too; that would bring me great joy.

One day, Nigeria will reclaim its place in global sports. We’re too talented to stay down forever. The problem is, we have so many natural resources that we tend to neglect sports. In countries like England, football is a key part of the economy. Here, it’s an afterthought. If sports were treated as seriously as oil or gas, things would be very different.

Do you think Nigeria honours its athletes enough while they're still active?

Honestly, no. Athletes in Nigeria don’t get the recognition or appreciation they deserve during their careers. Most of our top talents end up in Europe, where they’re celebrated and well-compensated. Back home, it's a different story entirely. The structure and support just aren’t there, and it’s really unfortunate.

What’s your most heartbreaking moment as a football fan?

There are two that really hit me hard. The first was when Portugal lost to Morocco in the last World Cup. Watching Ronaldo get knocked out was heartbreaking. I really wanted him to win the World Cup before retiring.

The second—and probably the most painful—was the World Cup final between Argentina and France. I was rooting for France like I was born there. Argentina went 2–0 up, and France hadn’t even had a shot on target. Then Mbappé brought it back to 3–3, and the emotions were insane. When Messi finally lifted the trophy, I was crushed.

It felt like football had betrayed me. That match taught me how brutal the sport can be emotionally. I was angry, bitter—completely gutted. That day, I genuinely thought football was a curse, not a blessing.