NAFA establishes Flag Football Development Board to strengthen growth
Nigeria American Football Association (NAFA) has established the National Flag Football Development Board to drive the growth of flag football in Nigeria.
The board is chaired by the Minister for Youth, Ayo Olawande Wisdom with esteemed members including, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, OON, CON; the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Kabiru Amadu (Mai Palace); the Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, other stakeholders, and current and past National Football League (NFL) players who bring wealth of professional experience to the development of the sport.
NAFA’s President is expected to serve as the Secretary to ensure continuity between grassroots initiatives and national development strategies.
The board is mandated to oversee the activities of the Steering Committee for Flag Football Development, which currently includes leading leagues and organizations driving American football growth in Nigeria, while ensuring that the grassroots efforts align with national development goals which are creating a unified approach to talent scouting, training, and competitive participation.
With the initial focus on preparing TeamNigeria for international competition (Olympic participation)—its broader goal is to integrate flag football into local communities, schools, and professional sports ecosystems, fostering a culture of inclusivity and athletic excellence.
Speaking on the launch, the Minister for Youth emphasized the importance of sports in youth empowerment and national development.
“Flag football presents an incredible opportunity for Nigeria to thrive in a fast-growing global sport. This board will ensure that talent development, infrastructure expansion, and local adoption are prioritized, creating long-lasting impact beyond international tournaments.”
NAFA President also highlighted the role of the board in shaping the future of flag football.
“Over the past five years, NAFA has developed a robust grassroots pathway, supporting leagues, programmes and initiatives at all levels and driving the growth of American Football as a whole. As we prepare to represent Nigeria in Egypt, we are meticulously ensuring that a solid foundation is established locally. With structured leadership and support from government officials, professional athletes, dedicated leagues and partners like BROWNS NIGERIA, Nigeria is well-positioned to elevate flag football to new heights.
”Our objective is to make the sport accessible nationwide, from schools to national leagues, and ultimately establish Nigeria as a formidable presence in international competitions,” he said.
