NAFA MAKES HISTORY, COMPLETES FIRST EVER FLAG FOOTBALL EXHIBITION FOR COLLEGES, VARSITIES (PHOTOS)
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By: Sefiu Ajape
The Nigeria Collegiate Flag Football League (NCFFL), an initiative of the Nigeria American Football Association (NAFA), made history on Saturday, September 6, 2025, by hosting the first-ever collegiate Flag Football exhibition at Unique Open University, Ikeja Campus, Agidingbi.
The landmark event saw over 60 student-athletes from four tertiary institutions compete in eight thrilling matches before more than 500 spectators.
Impressively, 65% of the participants were first-time players, highlighting NAFA’s commitment to making Flag Football accessible at all levels.
Additionally, about 25% of the athletes had previously played in the Nigeria Secondary School Flag Football League (NSSFFL), showcasing the league’s role as a talent pipeline from secondary schools to universities.
Unique Open University emerged as champions, capping an exciting day of sport, community, and celebration.
In recognition of their achievement, the university’s President and Founder, Prof. Chris Imumolen, awarded the winning team ₦1 million, describing it as “an investment in youth excellence and a way to encourage innovation through sports.”
He also praised NAFA for introducing a fast-growing global sport to Nigerian students and encouraged athletes to leverage the platform for both athletic and leadership development.
Speaking on the league’s vision, NAFA President Babajide Akeredolu said, “Our goal is clear, we want to build a clear pathway for Flag Football, from secondary schools to universities and into professional opportunities. The NCAA in the U.S. became the talent pool for the NFL; we envision the NCFFL becoming that same pipeline for Nigeria and Africa.”
The student-athletes had been trained for over five weeks by teams from the Community Flag Football League (CFFL) in preparation for the exhibition.
Highlighting the event’s impact, Dr. Emmanuel Okeme, Vice-President of NUGA, stated, “Watching these students play with such energy and discipline for the first time was inspiring. I am confident that Flag Football will become a key sport in Nigerian universities.”
Jesunifemi Tenten, Coordinator of NAFA’s Collegiate Programs, added, “The NCFFL is just one of the programs we are rolling out to expand American Football in Nigeria. Today’s event proves our vision is already happening.”
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Athletes also expressed excitement, with one from Unique Open University reflecting, “This was my first time playing Flag Football, and I can’t believe we are leaving here as champions. The training and experience were incredible and have opened my eyes to new opportunities through sports.”
Looking ahead, NAFA plans to expand the NCFFL across all six geo-political zones and seven states, aiming to train over 1,000 student-athletes nationwide. The league is set to return in full force at the 2025 NUGA Games in UNILAG, where more schools are expected to participate.
Flag Football has been officially approved as a sport for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, making Nigeria’s early investment in the sport strategic. “This was more than an exhibition; it was a movement,” Akeredolu concluded. “And we are only just beginning.”
NAFA is Nigeria’s sole national body dedicated to the growth of American Football, including Tackle and Flag Football.
Established in 2019, NAFA has directly introduced the sport to over 10,000 young men and women in 18 states and over 300 schools. NAFA also led Nigeria to its first victory at the Africa Continental Flag Football Championship and is an associate member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF).
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