After Historic League Win, Remo Stars Coach Begins Mentorship Movement

After leading Remo Stars to their first-ever Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title, head coach Daniel Ogunmodede has announced the launch of a groundbreaking coaching initiative—the IJABALL School of Thought, a mentorship and masterclass program aimed at developing the next generation of Nigerian football coaches.

The historic NPFL win on April 27, 2025, saw Remo Stars become the first South-West club to clinch the league title since Julius Berger in 2000, marking a monumental achievement not just for the club but for regional football development.

“Over two decades ago, my journey in Football Coaching Evangelism began—giving birth to the IJABALL School of Thought. Today, that vision is becoming a movement,”

Ogunmodede said in a statement released on Thursday. “I’m excited and fully committed to giving back through a Coaching Masterclass and Mentorship Program for passionate young men and women, ages 18–35, who are interested in football coaching.”

The initiative is designed to offer technical training, leadership development, and mentoring opportunities for aspiring coaches, drawing from Ogunmodede’s extensive experience in youth development and elite football management.

Born on May 19, 1980, Ogunmodede’s journey to the top of Nigerian football was not without its setbacks. A promising football career was cut short after an appendix operation and medical advice that forced him to abandon professional play. With the encouragement of his parents and backing from the late Chief Olagbenro, then-chairman of Crown FC, he shifted focus to coaching and secured formal training at the National Institute of Sports, followed by an internship with Crown FC.

In 2015, he joined Remo Stars as an assistant coach and youth team manager. He played a pivotal role in the team’s promotion to the NPFL in 2016. His success with the youth team earned him greater responsibilities, and in 2020 he was appointed as the club’s Director of Youth Football Development, which led to the establishment of the Beyond Limits Football Academy, now one of Nigeria’s top academies.

Between 2021 and 2022, Ogunmodede served as assistant coach at Portuguese club CD Feirense, gaining international experience before returning to Remo Stars in 2022. Under his leadership, the team finished second in the NPFL in both 2023 and 2024 before achieving league glory in 2025.

Football stakeholders have lauded Ogunmodede’s latest initiative as timely and necessary. “This is what Nigerian football needs—leaders who are intentional about legacy and development. Ogunmodede is showing us that winning goes beyond trophies; it’s about building people,” said Sola Ogunleye, a football development analyst.

The IJABALL School of Thought is expected to begin its first session later this year, with applications opening soon. It will combine in-person mentorship sessions, online tactical courses, and opportunities for hands-on training with Remo Stars and affiliated academies.