Makindebecomes Nigeria's youngest karate black belt at age 10

He was barely old enough to speak in full sentences. At just over two years old, still learning to navigate the world and find his words, Aramide Makinde witnessed something at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, that would alter his life’s direction forever.

A group of children dressed in crisp white uniforms were performing karate stances and strikes with purpose and precision. Makinde, out with his parents to enjoy the fresh air, stopped in his tracks. He began to stutter—the way a two‑year‑old does when desire outpaces language—but his intention was clear: he wanted to join them.

“We came around to the National Stadium to just enjoy the fresh breeze,” recalls his mother, Dr Elizabeth Makinde. “And he just saw the people wearing white. He was stuttering. He was young at the time, just a little over two years old, and he said he wanted it.”

Eight years later, on a Saturday morning at the same venue, the boy—now 10—stood before peers, coaches, family, and God, and received Nigeria’s most historic karate black belt. Makinde became the youngest person ever to earn a black belt in karate in Nigeria, a record that could endure for decades.

The journey

Black belts are not handed out; they are earned through years of repetition, discipline, failure, and perseverance that most adults would find challenging, let alone a child. Makinde’s path from curious toddler to record‑breaker was neither straight nor easy.

He trained under Coach Uchenna Duru at New Arrival Martial Arts Academy, located within the National Stadium where his passion for the sport first ignited. Duru, a 4th Dan black belt, began working with Makinde when the boy was two and immediately recognized potential in his young student.

“When I saw him the first time, I remembered one adage — if you want to go far, wake up early. I saw him as someone who wakes up early, and who wants to go far,” the coach told our correspondent.

For eight years, through school terms, holidays, rain, heat, aching muscles, and early mornings, Makinde consistently showed up—every Saturday, every Sunday, and during every break period. He ran countless laps, which he describes as his “saddest moments in the sport,” saying, “The toughest periods when we have to run countless times around the National Stadium as exercise.”

Nevertheless, he persisted.

In 2020, when PUNCH Sports Extra first covered him, Makinde was a five‑year‑old orange belt displaying a mischievous confidence that belied his size. Even then, his command of the front and back stance, straight punch, and front kick attracted onlookers who stopped at the stadium to watch his training.

“I like karate as a sport because it is something that I can use to defend myself in times of danger. I even practice it in school when we are observing our sports break. I love karate, and I hope to win more medals in it,” Makinde said at five.

That same boy now speaks with the quiet certainty of someone who has already proven himself.

“Becoming the youngest black belt holder in Nigeria is the best moment of my karate journey,” he says. “I worked so hard to get here and earn this.”

The Family

Behind every young athlete is a network of sacrifice, and Makinde’s parents have contributed time, money, and energy from day one. His mother, Dr Makinde, has never missed a training session.

“My mummy always takes me to the dojo every Saturday and Sunday for practice,” Makinde says simply. He adds that his life role models are his parents, while his sporting role model is his Shian—his coach.

His father, Adedayo Makinde, attended the black‑belt ceremony and could barely contain his pride.

“I am very proud of him, and today I’m one of the happiest fathers,” he said. “Money cannot buy this; it takes a lot of sacrifice and doggedness to get to this point.”

Dr Elizabeth adds, “For me, this is hard work that paid off. A journey of resilience, tenacity, doggedness.”

The family’s commitment extends to a second child. Aramide’s younger brother, Adedolapo, who began karate at four, earned his own green belt at the same grading ceremony—at just seven years old. The Makinde household clearly lives karate.

Makinde’s godmother, Magdalene Osumah, summed up the achievement, telling PUNCH Sports Extra, “One thing with him is he has been so consistent. He has never complained one day about coming to karate practice. From time to time, he’s always meeting up with all the milestones. I see him on the global stage definitely.”

School, Makinde says, has never conflicted with karate. Weekdays belong to the classroom; weekends and holidays belong to the dojo. He has found a rhythm—and a dream—to match it.

“I want to become a renowned karate legend and be in the history books,” he told our correspondent with confidence.

In a sense, he is already there. The first chapter is written, and the record belongs to him. Coach Duru, who has watched the boy grow from a two‑year‑old with wide eyes to a black‑belt holder, believes much more lies ahead.

“He is really a karate bomb ready to explode. Nigeria should watch out for him. The whole world will hear about him,” the coach told PUNCH Sports Extra.

For now, Makinde holds a black belt that no Nigerian child has ever held before him. As his coach promises, it is only the beginning.