Former Nigeria Football Federation First Vice President launches new series exploring how football shaped his life, leadership and legal career.

Long before he became widely known as a lawyer and football administrator, Bar Akinwunmi was a young football enthusiast whose love for the game began on school pitches and sandy neighbourhood grounds.

Now, the former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) First Vice President is set to share that personal journey through a new series, Beyond the Bar: The Football Journey, offering reflections on the experiences, relationships and decisions that have shaped his life both within and beyond the legal profession.

In introducing the series, Akinwunmi recalled how football remained an important part of his life from his pre-teen years through his forties, long before administrative responsibilities eventually took him from the pitch to the boardroom.

“Long before I stepped into a courtroom, I was on a football pitch,” he wrote, recalling his early days playing for his primary school and participating in informal games on sandy grounds.

His football journey extended into adulthood, including Sunday football sessions and appearances alongside All Stars players at Campos Square before moving on to Eagle Club in Surulere, Lagos.

Those experiences, he explained, formed a significant part of his identity, even as his professional career developed around law.

“Most people know me as a lawyer. But beyond the bar, I am a football fan, an enthusiast and a leader shaped by the beautiful game,” Akinwunmi said.

What began as a personal passion gradually developed into a deeper commitment to the organisation and development of Nigerian football. His involvement in football administration took him through leadership responsibilities at state, zonal and national levels, providing him with a closer understanding of the sport beyond what happens during the 90 minutes of a match.

For Akinwunmi, football’s value extends well beyond competition, trophies and results. His experiences in the game have reinforced the importance of leadership, discipline, resilience, patience, strategy and teamwork.

He believes these principles have also influenced his approach to the legal profession, professional relationships and the management of difficult situations.

“Football taught me leadership, discipline, resilience, patience, strategy and the power of teamwork far better than any textbook ever could,” he reflected.

The lessons learned on the pitch, he added, continue to influence how he practises law, leads teams, interacts with people and navigates challenges.

Akinwunmi’s reflections also highlight the connection between sport and service to society. Through his involvement in football administration, he said, he came to appreciate the potential of the game as a platform for philanthropy and broader social impact.

He described this realisation as one of the defining lessons of his football journey, arguing that the sport offers lessons about life that extend beyond the touchline.

In a light-hearted acknowledgement of a familiar football philosophy, he wrote: “Football is not just a game, It is life,” while apologising to former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola for the borrowed expression.

The new series, which will continue every Tuesday, is expected to explore the personal experiences and defining moments behind Akinwunmi’s involvement in football, including the people he encountered, the difficult decisions he faced and the lessons he gathered along the way.

Beyond recounting familiar events, the series promises a more personal account of the realities of football leadership, drawing from his experiences in the administration of the game and the demands of balancing professional responsibilities with a lifelong sporting passion.

Akinwunmi said he intends to unpack the untold stories, strategic decisions and accumulated wisdom that have stayed with him long after the final whistle.

“In this football chapter of Beyond the Bar, I will be unpacking that journey, the untold stories, the tough decisions, the people, the learnt strategy and garnered wisdom that stayed with me long after the final whistle,” he said.

Through the series, Akinwunmi is positioning football not merely as a professional interest or administrative responsibility, but as a central influence on his personal development and leadership philosophy.

His opening instalment sets the tone for a reflective account of a journey that began with the simple joy of playing football and evolved into a sustained engagement with the game’s structures, people and possibilities.

For readers interested in the intersection of law, leadership and sport, Beyond the Bar: The Football Journey offers a personal perspective on how experiences on the pitch can shape decisions in the courtroom and the boardroom.

The series continues every Tuesday, with Akinwunmi inviting readers to look beyond his public identity as a lawyer and football administrator to understand the passion and experiences that helped shape the man behind the roles.