NAFA completes first ever Flag Football exhibition for colleges,

The Nigeria Collegiate Flag Football League (NCFFL), an initiative of the Nigeria American Football Association (NAFA), made history on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Unique Open University, (Ikeja Campus) Agidingbi, Ikeja where it hosted its first-ever exhibition games.

The event brought together over 60 student-athletes from four tertiary institutions across Nigeria, competing in 8 thrilling games before a crowd of 500+ enthusiastic spectators.

Remarkably, 65% of the participants were first-time players, showcasing NAFA’s ambitious goal of making Flag Football accessible across all levels and age groups. Notably, about 25% of the athletes had once competed at the Nigeria Secondary School Flag Football League (NSSFFL), underscoring its role as a grassroots pathway feeding talents into the NCFFL.

The tournament ended with Unique Open University emerging as champions, capping a day that blended competition, community, and celebration.

In a surprise gesture, the President and Founder of Unique Open University, Prof. Chris Imumolen, awarded the winners a cash prize of ₦1 million, describing it as “an investment in youth excellence and a way to encourage innovation through sports.” He commended NAFA for introducing a fast-growing global sport to Nigerian students and urged the athletes to see the platform as a springboard for both athletic and leadership growth.

Speaking at the event, NAFA President, Babajide Akeredolu, emphasised the vision behind NCFFL:

“Our goal is clear, we want to build a clear pathway for Flag Football, from secondary schools to universities and into professional opportunities. This exhibition has shown us that Nigeria has the talent and passion. 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.”

This vision is already being realized through collaboration with the Community Flag Football League (CFFL), whose teams trained the student-athletes for over five weeks in preparation for the exhibition.

The success of the NCFFL exhibition highlights what is possible when institutions, sports bodies, and communities work together. NAFA calls on stakeholders, schools, corporate sponsors, and government to partner in expanding Flag Football across Nigeria.

“This was more than an exhibition; it was a movement,” Akeredolu concluded. “And we are only just beginning.”