In a recent BBC Sport interview, NXT Champion Oba Femi opened up about his mission to inspire young African wrestling fans—proving that geographical barriers and limited accessibility don't have to stop dreams from becoming reality.
The Lagos-born superstar, who is currently enjoying his second NXT Championship reign, explained the personal journey that shaped his mission. Growing up in Africa without live WWE events, Femi initially doubted whether a wrestling career was even possible.
I grew up a fan and I was like, man, I would kill to be a wrestler, but it just didn't feel plausible," Femi said. "I'm in Africa, it's run out of the United States. They don't even really come to Africa for live events. You start telling yourself all these things.
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Despite those barriers, Femi persevered—and now uses his platform to reframe what's possible. "My goal is more to let them know that you can dream big and it's okay and it's possible," he emphasized, noting his mission extends beyond recruitment to genuine empowerment.
Femi also discussed how he intentionally infuses Nigerian authenticity into his character, rejecting the typical approach many wrestlers take. "How much of a human being can I put into this one character? Let me have that natural cadence of a Nigerian man," he explained, emphasizing cultural integration over stereotyping.
With main roster vignettes already airing across Raw and SmackDown, Femi's elevation continues—positioning him as a trailblazer for underrepresented wrestling talent worldwide.