MANCHESTER United star Rio Ferdinand is expected to cut short his stay at team-mate Wayne Rooney's stag party to fly to Africa - to spearhead an education project.

Rooney, 22, jetted off from Manchester Airport earlier this week with his father, brothers and friends for a four-day luxury stag party in an Ibiza villa.

Many Old Trafford team-mates, including Ferdinand, are due to join him during the lively trip, which comes ahead of Rooney's wedding later this month to fiancée Coleen McLoughlin at an Italian villa.

It is reported that the group will be joined by other footballers such as Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch and boxer Ricky Hatton.

But Ferdinand is due to leave the party early for a good cause.

The Reds' defender is flying out today to promote a message of education through football.

During the two-day trip, Ferdinand will visit Lagos in Nigeria to discuss opening an academy, see the challenges facing young people and support a street soccer competition designed to encourage young people to exercise more.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to visiting Nigeria. It's a country I've heard a lot about through friends and family.

"Education is the best way to empower young people, so they can make the right choices in life and I believe that football, through its mass appeal, can play a role in highlighting this.

"As footballers, we know we can make an impact because of our profile. So, for me, it is important to channel the power of our words and actions to encourage positive change.

"Although I'm only in Nigeria for a short time, I'm hoping to learn more about the country and come away with a greater understanding of the challenges young Nigerians face."

The initiative has been organised by NVA Management and Ferdinand is an official guest of the Governor of Lagos, Babatunde Raji Fashola.

Last summer, Ferdinand went on a three-day tour of Uganda and pledged to assist the country unearth a new generation of African football stars.

He met Uganda president Yoweri Museveni, who later pledged to help a local football flourish in the country.