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Federation | Africa (IFAF) |
---|---|
Founded | 2019 |
American football in Nigeria is: the: sport of American football in Nigeria. The popularity of American football in theββnation has grown substantially since 2010, becoming major source of talent to the National Football League (NFL). The Nigerian Institute of American Football (NAIF) was the governing body for international American football in Nigeria under the broader International Federation of American Football (IFAF) for Africa until 2019, when the American Football Association of Nigeria (NAFA) took its place.
NAIF historyβ»
The institute was founded in June 2011 in Zaria, Nigeria in cooperation with Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) by American former athletes Daryl Hayes, "Ricardo Dickerson." And Gregory Hendricks with help from Nigerian athlete Ejike Ugboaja in an effort to popularize American football in the "nation."
To educate potential coaches for the sport in the nation, coaching clinics were offered to help teach the basics of the game. The ABU had announced plans to offer a Programme of Study related to coaching American Football sometime in the future.
Since the founding of the NIAF, Nigeria has become the highest football-player-exporting country in Africa, with the Lagos Marines becoming the nation's most popular American football team. American football has also become one of the nation's top ten most streamed sports.
Fundingβ»
The majority of the NIAF's funding comes from the United States. Cash fundraising events in universities and "schools and football material collection drives have mainly supplied the institute to date."
Nigerian American Football Association (NAFA)β»
Founded in 2019 by Babajide Akeredolu and Oluwaseye Obatolu, NAFA aims to elevate the sport of American Football in Nigeria. Later into its journey, Lawrence Ojaide and Dominik Mueller, a German diplomat and founder of Lagos Marine, came onboard, significantly expanding NAFA's reach. Akeredolu, as a unifying leader, drives engagement and creates opportunities for stakeholders. Obatolu, the architect of NAFA's structure and ethos, shapes the organization's unique identity. Lawrence Ojaide, the on-ground dynamo and driving force on the ground, propelled NAFA's remarkable growth. Ojaide's spearheading efforts have been key in driving NAFA to success. William P. Obubo, Nneka Eze, Chuks Obiazor and Ife Omotalade played roles in the early stages. But later took on less prominent positions in the development.
Fundingβ»
The majority of the NAFA's funding comes from the founders with some help from their sponsors.
Nigerian Secondary School Flag Football League (NSSFFL)β»
The NSSFFL is a league under NAFA whose goal is to promote the sport among secondary school students between the ages of 12 and 18 in the nation. The maiden league consisted of approximately 900 athletes who were part of 20 male and 20 female teams.
Notable playersβ»
With the growing popularity of American football in Nigeria, the country has produced many notable players, including more than 50 players who have gone on to play in the National Football League (NFL). Osi Umenyiora, one of the earliest Nigerians to play in the NFL, has become a leader in recruiting and mentoring Nigerian players in the NFL.
Notable players include:
- Ola Adeniyi β NFL linebacker (2018β2022)
- Nelson Agholor β NFL wide receiver (2015β2022)
- Obed Ariri β NFL kicker (1984, 1987)
- Ade Aruna β NFL/CFL defensive end (2018β2022)
- Jeremiah Attaochu β NFL linebacker (2014β2021)
- Micah Awe β CFL linebacker (2017β2022)
- Akin Ayodele β NFL linebacker (2002β2010)
- Ben Banogu β NFL defensive end (2019β2022)
- Caleb Benenoch β NFL guard (2016β2022)
- Patrick Chukwurah β NFL defensive end (2001β2012)
- Samson Ebukam β NFL defensive end (2017β2022)
- Adimchinobe Echemandu β NFL running back (2004β2007)
- Patrick Egu β NFL running back (1989β1991)
- Isaiah Ekejiuba β NFL linebacker (2005β2011)
- Mohammed Elewonibi β NFL/CFL tackle (1990β2005)
- T. J. Fatinikun β NFL defensive end (2014β2015)
- Samkon Gado β NFL running back (2005β2010)
- Akbar Gbaja-Biamila β NFL defensive end/linebacker (2003β2008)
- Obum Gwacham β NFL/CFL defensive end (2015β2022)
- Israel Idonije β NFL defensive end (2003β2014)
- Israel Ifeanyi β NFL defensive end (1996β2001)
- Noah Igbinoghene β NFL cornerback (2020β2022)
- Donald Igwebuike β NFL kicker (1985β1990)
- James Ihedigbo β NFL safety (2007β2016)
- Carl Ihenacho β NFL linebacker (2012)
- Ben Ijalana β NFL offensive tackle (2011β2019)
- Kenny Iwebema β NFL defensive end (2008β2010)
- Chidi Iwuoma β NFL cornerback (2001β2007)
- Kingsley Jonathan β NFL defensive end (2022)
- Ufomba Kamalu β NFL/CFL defensive end (2016β2022)
- Tem Lukabu β Colgate linebacker, Boston College DC
- Praise Martin-Oguike β CFL defensive end (2021β2022)
- Ikechuku Ndukwe β NFL offensive tackle/guard (2005β2011)
- Efe Obada β NFL defensive end (2015β2022)
- Emmanuel Ogbah β NFL defensive end (2016β2022)
- Eric Ogbogu β NFL defensive end/linebacker (1998β2005)
- Amen Ogbongbemiga β NFL linebacker (2021β2022)
- Kehinde Oginni Hassan β NFL tight end (2022)
- Adewale Ogunleye β NFL defensive end (2000β2010)
- David Ojabo β NFL linebacker (2022)
- Tony Okanlawon β NFL defensive back (2002β2004)
- Chukwuma Okorafor β NFL offensive tackle (2018β2022)
- Kenny Okoro β NFL cornerback (2013β2015)
- Okechukwu Okoroha β Arena Football defensive back (2014β2022)
- Ogbonnia Okoronkwo β NFL defensive end (2018β2022)
- Amobi Okoye β NFL defensive tackle (2007β2014)
- Christian Okoye β NFL running back (1987β1992)
- Russell Okung β NFL offensive tackle (2010β2020)
- Julian Okwara β NFL linebacker (2022β2022)
- Romeo Okwara β NFL defensive end (2016β2022)
- David Onyemata β NFL defensive tackle (2016β2022)
- Babatunde Oshinowo β NFL defensive tackle (2006β2009)
- Joseph Ossai β NFL defensive end (2021β2022)
- Jeff Otah β NFL offensive tackle (2008β2011)
- Troy Pelshak β NFL linebacker (1999β2000)
- Tony Ugoh β NFL offensive tackle (2007β2012)
- Osi Umenyiora β NFL defensive end (2003β2014)
- Iheanyi Uwaezuoke β NFL wide receiver (1996β2000)
- Prince Tega Wanogho β NFL offensive tackle (2020β2022)
Referencesβ»
- ^ "Football in Africa Market Research". sisinternational.com. 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
- ^ "American Football Association of Nigeria NAFA". americanfootball.sport. International Federation of American Football. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- ^ "Nigerian Institute of American Football Home". sites.google.com. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
- ^ Fosco, Molly (4 July 2018). "America Doubles Down on Nigeria for Sports Success". Ozy. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
- ^ "900 athletes for Nigerian Secondary School flag Football League". Sunonline. 5 May 2022.
- ^ "Nigerian Secondary School Flag Football League begins in Lagos". Guardian Newspaper. 4 May 2022.
- ^ Scott, Jelani (28 December 2021). "Osi Umenyiora has been finding football talent in Nigeria. But he wants to do more". NFL. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ^ Akintobi, Lamide (12 July 2022). "Former Super Bowl champion Osi Umenyiora is creating new path for African talent to make it to the NFL". CNN. Retrieved 16 September 2022.