Contact Springboard for Africa :
Email: info@springboardforafrica.com
Canadian Phone #: 604-524-4668
Project Location: Edo State, Nigeria
E Transfer: jalia.org@gmail.com
Oshioagbhe Springboard Gymnastics Organization—known as Springboard for
Africa—is a nonprofit based in Nigeria, co-founded by Innocent and Ariana
Oshioagbhe, a husband-and-wife team currently living in Canada. Their shared
passion for gymnastics, youth empowerment, and community development
drives their vision: to make movement, mentorship, and opportunity accessible to
all.
Innocent, a former international gymnast, began his journey in Edo State,
Nigeria, training on welded iron bars and old wrestling mats. It was only through
rare access to international training camps that he was able to rise to the world
stage. Competing and coaching abroad showed him a clear truth: talent exists
everywhere, but access does not.
Ariana, a former competitive gymnast, coach, and club manager, brings her lived
experience as both an athlete and a mother of two into the heart of the project.
She works closely with Innocent to build something lasting—rooted in community,
inclusion, and early movement opportunities for all.
Together, they are working to develop Nigeria’s first international-standard
gymnastics facility. But more than that, they’re laying the foundation for a place
where children can move, grow, and belong—without having to leave home to
chase opportunity.
Our Mission is to provide gymnasts across Africa with the same opportunities to train, grow, and succeed as their peers in countries with established access to high-level sport—by offering international-standard facilities, expert coaching, and meaningful mentorship.
To make gymnastics accessible to all children—regardless of background, ability, or income—through grassroots programs that build physical literacy, confidence, and a lifelong love of movement. By offering community-based classes, recreational programs, and inclusive training, we’re opening the door for every child to participate in sport. With expert coaching, local mentorship, and international-standard facilities, we’re laying the foundation for healthy development, job creation, and stronger communities across Africa.
We imagine a future where no child has to leave their country or give up on their dream just to access proper gymnastics training — a future where they can train, perform, and compete at the highest level of the sport, right at home. Our vision is to spring up African gymnastics as a whole and give every young athlete the chance to rise where they are.
We envision an Africa where every child, regardless of ability or circumstance, has the opportunity to move, play, and grow through gymnastics. A future where physical literacy is part of everyday life, and children are supported from their very first class to develop confidence, coordination, and a strong foundation for lifelong well-being. By investing in early access, inclusive programs, and local infrastructure, we aim to build a continent where gymnastics improves quality of life, empowers futures, and strengthens communities from the ground up.
Innocent’s journey after competing for Canada led him to coaching
gymnastics.
Years later, while attending a coaching course, a facilitator posed a simple
but powerful question:
“What can you do to improve the sport of gymnastics?”
That question hit home. In that moment, Innocent was brought back to his
roots, remembering the obstacles he faced as a child in Edo State, Nigeria.
He realized that his answer was clear: to make gymnastics truly accessible
in the very place where it was out of reach for so many like him.
What once felt like a dream is now starting to take shape.
We’re building Nigeria’s first international-standard gymnastics facility—designed for the
whole community. Through grassroots programs and inclusive access, this space will
give children and families the chance to move, connect, and grow together. It’s more
than just a gym—it’s a place to build physical literacy, confidence, and community from
the ground up
We’ve secured 8 acres of land in Edo State, Nigeria—and with it, we’re laying the
foundation for something far bigger than a building.
This will be home to Africa’s first international-standard gymnastics facility designed not
just for elite athletes, but for every child who deserves the chance to move, play, and
grow.
This land represents more than just space. It’s a springboard for opportunity, a place
where physical literacy, confidence, and community can take root—and where futures
will be shaped from the ground up.
At Springboard for Africa, our work begins with a gym—but it’s about so much more than gymnastics. We’re building Nigeria’s first international-standard gymnastics facility not just to train athletes, but to create a springboard for community growth, movement, and opportunity.
Our programs will be designed for all ages and skill levels, from children taking their first cartwheel to adults seeking wellness through physical activity. By offering classes, camps, and events that are open to everyone, we’re using sport as a tool for connection, bringing people together through movement, shared goals, and a sense of belonging.
We believe that physical education is foundational to a thriving community. That’s why we’re not only focused on developing elite athletes, but also on making movement accessible to all. Through this facility, we’re creating jobs, offering mentorship, and opening doors to a more active, empowered future for youth and families alike.
This is about building something bigger than sport. It's about building community—one spring, one step, one class at a time.
As we prepare to build Nigeria’s first international-standard gymnastics facility, we’re also planning community-led projects that will bring people together and create a positive impact around the future site. These initiatives are part of our commitment to making this space meaningful from the very beginning—serving the local community while we work toward breaking ground.
We plan to provide a clean and reliable water source to support families living near the future facility—helping to improve daily living conditions and promote health and well-being. Many families in the surrounding area have limited access to clean, reliable water. By building a borehole system near the future gym site, we hope to support better health, reduce daily hardship, and provide a lasting resource the whole community can benefit from.
We aim to create a safe, active space where children and youth can come together to move, play, and connect—encouraging physical activity and togetherness before the gym even opens its doors. These early efforts reflect our broader mission: to increase access, strengthen communities, and spark opportunity—starting with the land itself.
