From Barefoot Beginnings
To GLOBAL IMPACT
The unforgettable true story of a Nigerian boy who turned poverty into purpose.
Now available in hardcover, paperback, and eBook
Footprints on Concrete
The Story of a Barefoot Dreamer Who Refused to Quit
What does it mean to rise when the world expects you to stay down? In Footprints on Concrete, Adeola Ajayi tells the incredible true story of walking barefoot through the streets of Lagos, Nigeria, with hunger in his belly—but purpose in his soul.
From living in a 9×9 room and battling daily poverty to being sent back home from school, breaking both legs, and still rising to build a global foundation—this book is a raw, poetic, and inspiring story of transformation, resilience, and redemption.
Inside these pages, you’ll uncover:
The unstoppable force of hope when the world gives you nothing to hold onto.
The life-changing impact of mentors, the strength of mothers, and the quiet miracles that carried Adeola through.
How one cracked basketball court in Nigeria became the heartbeat of a movement felt across continents.
And the truth that your deepest pain may be shaping the very purpose you were born to fulfill.
This is more than a memoir. It’s a movement.
Order now and be inspired to walk boldly into your own destiny and no matter how broken the path may seem.
About the Author
Adeola Ajayi is the founder of the AOA Foundation and the author of Footprints on Concrete. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Adeola’s early life was marked by hunger, hardship, and hopelessness, but he refused to quit. From barefoot beginnings to building Noble Court, a landmark community space for Nigerian youth, his journey is one of relentless faith, deep humility, and powerful purpose.
After being sent back to Nigeria from the United States and overcoming numerous setbacks, including homelessness, broken legs, and heartbreak, Adeola transformed his pain into a platform. Today, his foundation feeds, mentors, and equips young people in Nigeria with tools, education, and inspiration.
Adeola is a father, a visionary, a philanthropist, and a storyteller whose life is living proof that greatness can rise from the cracks.
Contact Us
Book Adeola Ajayi to Speak
“Even if your path begins on concrete, you still have the power to leave footprints.”
Adeola Ajayi
Adeola Ajayi Foundation
Out of the cracked concrete of Sango Ota came a vision: to build something beautiful where nothing existed. The Adeola Ajayi Foundation, founded by Adeola Ajayi, provides:
Every purchase of Footprints on Concrete supports the work of the Adeola Ajayi Foundation.