Nigeria is home to some of Africa’s brightest talents in music, film, and fashion. However, when it comes to sports, especially niche ones like BMX riding, the country is still playing catch-up.

BMX is still in its infancy. With football, basketball, and athletics dominating the sporting scene, niche sports like BMX haven’t had the chance to grow. But with a huge urban youth population always on the lookout for new forms of self-expression, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Most Nigerian athletes have limited access to the necessary resources, whether it’s skate parks, ramps, or even basic BMX equipment. Hence, Courage Adams stepped in to create parks, ramps, and riding spaces that will allow a new generation to explore the sport and take it to places never seen before in the country.

Courage Adams’ journey to BMX stardom started in a way many of us can relate to: it all kicked off with a move. At just seven years old, his family packed up and left Nigeria for a new life in Spain. But it wasn’t until he was 12, after a trip to a skatepark in Pamplona with a friend, that BMX truly stole his heart. Hooked from the get-go, Adams did what any determined kid would, he hustled. He sold all his old video games, scraped together €40, and snagged a second-hand bike. From that point on, his obsession with BMX knew no limits, launching him into the international spotlight.

Even with global fame and all the accolades, Adams stayed connected to his Nigerian roots. In 2019, after watching BMX Nigeria, a Red Bull documentary that spotlighted the buzzing, underground BMX scene in Lagos, he knew he had to go back. But this wasn’t just a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Adams had bigger plans: to build something lasting for Nigeria’s BMX community.

The follow-up doc, Encouraged, is an emotional ride through his return, showing him link up with the Lagos BMX crew, reconnect with his family in Benin, and reflect on his journey.

Courage Adams’ initiative taps into something broader happening across Nigeria: the diversification of youth culture. Nigerian youth are increasingly plugged into global trends and cultures through social media, music, and fashion, and they’re hungry for new ways to express themselves. But they remain underserved in terms of infrastructure that allows them to pursue less traditional avenues, especially in sports. The establishment of BMX parks and training facilities, which Adams spearheaded, has great potential in providing a crucial entry point for young Nigerians to engage with a sport that encourages self-expression and resilience. More importantly, it introduces a different narrative around what success in sports can look like, a narrative not centered on traditional athleticism but on creativity and grit.

There’s also something deeply significant about Adams returning to Nigeria to champion this cause. Adams’ work is in line with this larger trend of redefining what’s possible for Nigerian youth, particularly in spaces that have historically been neglected or underdeveloped. Also, this initiative buttresses the growing influence of the Nigerian diaspora in reinventing the country’s cultural and creative sectors.  Similar efforts include Jomi Marcus-Bello’s establishment of Nigeria’s first skatepark in Lagos.

The skatepark is a game-changer for Nigeria’s BMX scene, a long-overdue boost for riders who’ve been grinding without the proper setup. For years, the local BMX community had the talent but nowhere to truly harness it. With this project, laid the groundwork for a sport that’s been overlooked in Nigeria. His mission is to  make sure the next generation of riders has the resources they need to level up, compete, and put Nigeria on the BMX map. It’s a massive step forward for young athletes who are bursting with potential but need that infrastructure to take their skills global.