American Football Association of Nigeria

Last updated
American Football Association of Nigeria (NAFA)
FoundersBabajide Akeredolu

Seye Obatolu
Dominick Mueller

Lawrence Ojaideh
TypeFederation
Registration no.CAC/IT/NO151819
Focus Flag Football, North American Football (Tackle), Referees & Coach Development
Location
  • Lagos, Nigeria
Area served
Nigeria
MethodCapacity Building, League Development, Player Pathways, Sports Development
Affiliations IFAF
NFL
Nigeria School Sports Federation
Gridiron Imports
Website nafa.ng

The American Football Association of Nigeria, also known as the Nigerian American Football Association (NAFA), is a private organization dedicated to promoting and developing American football across Nigeria.

Contents

Established in 2019, NAFA operates as an associated member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) representing Nigeria though they are not officially recognized as the governing body of American Football by the Nigerian government. [1]

History

NAFA was founded in November 2019 by Babajide Akeredolu, alongside co-founders Obatolu Oluwaseye from the United Kingdom and Dominik Mueller from Germany and Lawrence Ojaideh who currently serves as the Secretary general of the organization. [2] The organization's primary mission is to utilize American football as a vehicle for personal and national development, emphasizing grassroots participation, educational scholarships, and community outreach initiatives. [3]

Key initiatives and achievements

Recognition and impact

NAFA's efforts have led to a significant increase in the popularity and presence of American football across Nigeria. The organization's focus on promoting safety culture and positive youth engagement has garnered recognition from national and international partners with its actions leading to selection of Jeff Okudah as the first NFL Player Ambassador to NAFA [8] [9]

In 2023 the organization was invited by the National Football League to bring an U12 Flag Football team to the 2023 NFL Flag Championships at the Probowl. [10]

In June 2024, NAFA organized the first ever NFL Flag U14 Tournament in Nigeria during the NFL expansion program to Nigeria. The competition involved 12 schools from the states of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo. [11] [12]


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References

  1. "IFAF Member Federations, Africa, Nigeria". International Federation of American Football.
  2. "NAFA's capacity development programme for coaches, referees begins August 1". The Guardian Nigeria News. July 29, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  3. 1 2 "40 secondary schools set for maiden America Football League in Lagos". Premium Times. 4 May 2022.
  4. Oluwalowo, Tosin (11 April 2020). "American football league to kick off in Nigeria by March". The PUNCH Newspaper. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  5. "NAFA Offers U.S. Scholarships to 36 Football Players". The Guardian. May 28, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  6. "NSSFFL: 75 Secondary Schools from 7 States Set for Football League in Ondo". Tribune Online. July 31, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  7. "GSS Eket, African Church Grammar School Emerge Winners of Aketi Bowl". Sun News Online. August 6, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  8. "Jeff Okudah Becomes Nigeria's First Ambassador". International Federation of American Football . July 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  9. "Akeredolu pledges support for Nigerian American Football Association". Nigerian Tribune. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  10. "2024 NFL Pro Bowl Championship: NAFA to organise qualifiers for schools". The Guardian Nigeria News. September 19, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  11. "NFL's Africa Program Expands to Nigeria". NFL Communications. June 14, 2024. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  12. "Nigerian American Football Association Champions the growth of American Football in Nigeria". Nigerian American Football Association. June 15, 2024. Retrieved June 22, 2024.