Nigeria Kicks Off American Football With New Federation Board
By AUGUSTUS ISICHEI
American Football Gets Official Recognition in Nigeria
THE National Sports Commission (NSC) has formally inaugurated the pioneering board of the Nigeria Federation of American Football (NFAF), signaling a historic milestone for the sport in the country. During the ceremony, NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko urged the board to set high standards and fully align their objectives with the NSC’s RHINSE Agenda, emphasizing the federation’s role in nurturing homegrown talent.
Dikko commended the efforts of NSC Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, whose skillful conflict resolution paved the way for the federation’s formation. “With proper structure and support, Nigeria can now maximise its potential in American football,” he stated. The NSC Chairman highlighted the recent Super Bowl, where six athletes of Nigerian descent competed, four of whom were on the winning side, as evidence of the country’s immense talent pool.
A Board Set to Shape the Game
Hon. Bukola Olopade challenged the new board to leverage their expertise to grow the sport domestically. “American football is one of the fastest-growing sports in Nigeria,” he noted, “and these young athletes represent some of our brightest talent.”
The newly inaugurated board includes Babajide Akeredolu (President), Idris Shuaibu, Azeez Amida, Sasore Bodunrin (Technical Representative), Ized Meremoth, Lawrence Ojaide, Seye Obatolu, Aisha Shuaibu, Akpan Michael, Solomon Oludaisi, among others. Together, the board members are expected to drive strategic development, training programs, and league structures to foster the sport’s growth.
Dikko expressed optimism that with the federation in place, Nigeria could cultivate more athletes capable of competing internationally, laying the foundation for American football to become a mainstream sport in the country.
