William Troost-Ekong

William Troost-Ekong is a professional footballer and captain of the Nigerian national team, currently playing as a centre-back for Al-Kholood in the Saudi Professional League. Off the pitch, he is a dedicated advocate for environmental sustainability and youth empowerment. In 2024, he launched the Troost-Ekong Foundation to support young people in Nigeria and across Africa through football and education. His leadership goes beyond sports, using his platform to raise awareness about land degradation and drive action. Troost-Ekong is committed to strengthening ties between Africa and the Middle East and inspiring the next generation to restore land and build a sustainable future. He champions bold initiatives like the creation of the world’s largest living structure — an 8,000km Great Green Wall across Africa — ushering in a new era of sustainability and economic opportunity.

"Land holds the key to our future. By restoring it, we can unlock opportunity, hope and strength for the next African generation — with over 1 billion young people under 25" — William Troost-Ekong