John Okungbowa is the founder of the worldwide football talent management Company named JJ&J Talent Management LLC Based in the USA. Okungbowa?s network spans Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Africa, with affiliations and working relationships across Europe, Africa and Aouth America. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Youth Sports Organization in North Carolina, working directly with clubs such as Bolas FC North Carolina to expand youth engagement through football.

In December 2020, he was appointed as a registered football intermediary with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF). Building on that milestone, he obtained his FIFA Player Agent License in May 2024, passing the licensing exam with distinction. Today, he represents a growing roster of players across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the United States. Among the talents under his management are Daniel Adegbenro (FC ViOn, Slovakia) and Seun Emmanuel (ACONCOR, Spain), the latter having been named the Most Valuable Player at the National Youth Sports Festival in Benin City. John also represents coaches, including Tayo Adeleke, team manager of Igbanjo Community United, further expanding his influence in the football ecosystem.

John is also heavily involved with the upcoming Edo Liga Tournament in Edo State, an initiative designed to curb the rising ?japa? (mass migration) syndrome and fight against cultism by offering youth positive alternatives through football. By promoting structured competition and mentorship, the tournament aims to keep young athletes focused on building a sustainable future through sport.

In this interview with NELSON DAFE, Okungbowa shares his football management journey and discusses the prospects of helping talented African footballers on to fuller professional lives in football internationally.

How would you describe your experience working with players generally as an agent?

Working with players has been both rewarding and humbling. Every player I represent is not just a client but a partner on a journey. I make it a priority to understand their personal goals, family background, and long-term vision, not just their footballing ability. My role goes beyond negotiating contracts ? it?s about mentoring, guiding, and protecting their interests both on and off the pitch. Over time, I?ve built relationships that feel more like family than business, and that bond allows me to better advocate for their success.

Does your agency have any structured plans to help talented African players get signed by clubs in America and to integrate into the American society?

Yes, absolutely. One of my core missions is bridging football in Africa with opportunities abroad, particularly in the United States. We have structured pathways that include partnerships with academies, coaches, and youth organizations in both regions. Beyond just football contracts, we prepare players for the cultural transition ? from language, lifestyle, and education to financial literacy and personal discipline. Integration is key because talent alone is not enough. Players need to adapt quickly off the pitch to thrive on it, and my agency works hand-in-hand with local support systems to make sure that transition is smooth.

How did your desire to become an agent come about?

My desire to become an agent was born out of personal experience. Having played football myself in Benin City and represented Edo State at the National Youth Sports Festival, I understood firsthand the struggles young African players face when trying to break into professional football. Many have the talent, but lack the exposure, the mentorship, and the right representation. I wanted to fill that gap. Football has always been in my blood, and combining it with my professional background in management and strategy gave me the tools to become a voice and an advocate for players who deserve global opportunities.

What kind of scouting events does your agency organise for African players?

Ye My agency collaborates with academies, grassroots clubs, and international partners to organize scouting programs and tournaments. A notable example is our involvement with the upcoming Edo Liga Tournament, which is aimed at showcasing young talent while also addressing social issues such as cultism and the ?japa? syndrome. We also partner with clubs and scouts in Europe, the U.S., and other regions to ensure players get the right visibility.

In addition to these partnerships, I partner with Patoz Fc (Abuja), Galaxy Sport Development (China) and SKN Sports Agency (Italy) and together we run annual scouting programs between June and August in Abuja, Nigeria. This year, we extended our reach beyond Abuja, hosting scouting sessions in Port Harcourt, Lagos, and Kano. In April, we scouted in Lagos, while in July, we expanded across Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano. Through these events, we successfully identified and gathered players for clubs in Turkey, Malta, Slovakia, Norway, and Spain, giving talented young athletes direct exposure to professional opportunities abroad.

When you?re scouting, apart from playing ability, what other qualities do you specially look out for in a player?

Beyond raw talent, I look for discipline, resilience, humility, and the ability to adapt. Football today is not just about skill ? it?s about character. I want to see how a player handles adversity, how they respond to coaching, and how they interact with teammates. Professional football requires consistency, mental strength, and the willingness to grow. Clubs want players who can add value not just on the field but also in the locker room and the wider community. So while ability gets you noticed, character is what sustains a career.

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