Super Eagles legend Augustine ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha has revealed that his famous nickname, which became a defining part of his football identity, actually came from his elder brother, a connection he jokingly says still earns his brother “royalties.”
Okocha explained that the name began in the neighbourhood where he grew up, where several boys were called Austin. Since his elder brother was also known as Jay-Jay, people started using the name to distinguish him from the other Austins.
Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, Okocha recalled how he and his brothers spent much of their childhood playing football on the streets because they had few toys or other forms of entertainment.
“I think it started in the neighbourhood where we grew up; all of us were footballers cause we had no other toys, we were just on the street playing, and my two brothers played as well,” he said.
According to the former attacking midfielder, the nickname initially came from the need to identify which Austin people were referring to.
“We had few Austins then, so to identify which Austin is which, they started calling me Austin Jay-Jay’s brother, so from there Austin Jay-Jay,” Okocha said.
What started as a childhood identifier eventually followed him into professional football and became one of the most recognisable names in African football.
Okocha said he later decided to officially adopt “Jay-Jay” because people in Europe struggled to pronounce his birth name, Augustine.
“Some people were struggling to pronounce my name Augustine, so Jay-Jay was a lot easier, so I said I might as well adopt the name and I put it in my passport. Officially it’s mine,” he said.
Despite officially claiming the nickname, Okocha joked that his elder brother still deserves credit — and perhaps compensation — for giving him the name that became famous around the world.
“I still pay royalties to my brother. It’s like he brought the good omen,” he joked.
The remark highlighted the unusual journey of a nickname that began in a Nigerian neighbourhood and eventually became synonymous with one of the country’s most gifted footballers.
Okocha went on to enjoy a distinguished career in Europe, featuring for clubs including Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahçe, Paris Saint-Germain and Bolton Wanderers.
Known for his exceptional dribbling, creativity and flair, he became a fan favourite and one of Nigeria’s most celebrated footballers.
His nickname became so closely associated with his footballing identity that the famous phrase “so good they named him twice” was later used to describe the Nigerian icon.
(The Sun)
