Ezekiel Tobechukwu “Zeke” Nnaji, born to a Nigerian father but raised in Minneapolis, is channelling his National Basketball Association (NBA) membership into an initiative to empower Nigerian youth.
Addressing Nigerians’ challenges, Apham Nnaji, Zeke’s father, said, “The challenges and the depravity in Nigeria and Africa are a whole lot. I grew up there, and I have seen how hard things are.” Zeke, who began his career in baseball and football, is now a renowned basketball player. The Denver Nuggets forward influences Nigerian youth and alleviates their struggles through his foundation.
Since the foundation’s launch, it has partnered with the NBA to establish a basketball academy in Nigeria, where young people acquire education and the necessary skills, including computing, design, engineering, and mechanics. Speaking about the foundation, Kerry Sutherland, its representative, said, “This academy is a beacon of hope.” According to Zeke, the foundation is about remembering his and his father’s origin, “Where my dad grew up, there are kids with big dreams. We want to help make those dreams a reality.”
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