The Nigeria American Football Association (NAFA) has set its sights on Olympic qualification as it prepares to field three teams at the upcoming NAFA African Games in Egypt.
NAFA President Babajide Akeredolu revealed the association’s ambitious plans during official visits to the Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director-General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, at the National Stadium in Abuja.
Nigeria will be the only country, aside from the host nation, to present three teams at the tournament: the male national team, the female national team, and the U-13 side.
“This is the outcome of years of hard work and consistent grassroots development since 2019 in partnership with the Nigeria School Sports Federation,” Akeredolu said. “Over 17,000 children have participated in our grassroots leagues across the country.”
Akeredolu stressed that NAFA’s participation in the African Games is part of a broader goal: qualifying to represent Africa at the 2025 World Games in the United States and ultimately securing a place at the Olympics, following flag football’s recent inclusion as an Olympic sport.
“We’re not just preparing for Egypt; we’re building towards the global stage. With leagues established in Abuja, Lagos, and Ogun, we have created a sustainable talent pipeline,” he added.
The NAFA President noted that the male team has been in camp for two months, while the female and U-13 teams have undergone extensive preparation with support from partners such as Nigeria American Football Outreach, Browns Nigeria, and the NFL.
Highlighting the significance of the African Games, Akeredolu said the tournament is the result of unified efforts by African federations working with the sport’s global governing body to increase African representation in international competitions.
During the visit, Akeredolu also unveiled the teams’ jerseys, proudly noting that they were locally produced, a move applauded by NSC officials.
In their remarks, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and DG Bukola Olopade lauded NAFA’s efforts and expressed optimism in Nigeria’s chances of success in Egypt.
“I’m encouraged by your confidence, especially in the women’s team, and thrilled by your inclusion of the U-13 side. This aligns perfectly with our long-term vision for youth sports development,” said Olopade.
