NSC Inaugurates Pioneer Board for NFAF

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has officially inaugurated the maiden board of the Nigeria Federation of American Football (NFAF) in a bid to promote one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.

The ceremony took place on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko described the board members as pioneers who have already demonstrated the effort required to bring the glory of the sport to Nigeria.

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He also referenced the recent Super Bowl as proof of Nigerian excellence, noting that six athletes of Nigerian descent featured in the game, with four ending on the winning side.

“Today marks an important moment in the continued growth and diversification of our sports in Nigeria, as we integrate the first board of the Nigeria Federation of American Football, our youngest sports federation.

This is a clear evidence that Nigerian sports is opening itself to new ideas, new opportunities, and new frontiers. American football is one of the fastest growing sports globally. 

The National Sports Commission is driving a new direction, one that treats sports not just as a recreation, but as a serious contributor to the economy and national development. Just days ago, the World Watch, the Super Bowl, the biggest stage in American football. That event gave Nigerians much to be proud of. Six athletes of Nigerian descent took part in the game. Four of them emerged on the winning side.”

Mallam Dikko emphasized that the NSC is driving a new direction that treats sports as a serious contributor to the economy and national development, rather than just recreation. He urged the board to “get it right” to ensure the sport’s long-term success.

“To the members of this inaugural board, you are pioneers, which is very rare in this world to be a pioneer in doing something. If you get it right, you will write your name in gold. 

The commission will support you as we are supporting all other federations and providing the enablers for you to succeed, but we will also expect discipline, innovation, and results because Nigerian sports must work and must work for the people.”

On his part, the President of NFAF, Babajide Akeredolu, noted that while the journey has been challenging, the board is eager to hit the ground running.

“It’s been a long journey of figuring this out, now we are here. As the DG said last time, once we come together, it’s now in the best interest of Nigeria as opposed to individual interests. And I know it’s something that we’ve always stood for and we’re pretty excited about the opportunity. American football has had a long journey.

We’ve all come a long way and at least now, fortunately for us, we can hit the ground running. Because a lot of us have planted seeds that have even grown into trees. And we’re hoping we will continue to plant more seeds to grow that forest that would sustain a sport like ours.”

Prior to that inauguration members of the board in 2025 sponsored and created to a male and female team to represent Nigeria in the inaugural African Flag Football Championship, which took place in Cairo, Egypt, in June 2025. Both teams won the tournament and that earned Nigeria a direct pass to the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships.

The NFAF Board Membership:

The newly inaugurated board is led by President Babajide Akeredolu, supported by Idris Shuaibu (Vice President) and Azeez Amida (Vice President 2). Other members include Sasore Bodunrin, Lawrence Ojaide, Seye Obatolu, Aisha Shuaibu, Ized Meremoth, Akpan Michael, Solomon Oludaisi, Uchenna Asife, Ugochi Otti, Amadi Chukwuemeka, Okabonye Chukwuani, Barikisu Ademoh, Maryam Yakoub, Mark Orduen, Olaide Yusuf, and Dr. Oluyonmi Oluwasanmi.