Building Africa’s future through sport
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About NAFA Sports Foundation
Founded in Lagos in 2019 as the Nigeria American Football Association, we are now NAFA Sports Foundation: a programme-driven sport-for-development foundation building Africa’s future through sport.
Our story
From a Lagos huddle to a movement
NAFA was founded in Lagos in November 2019 by a group of American football enthusiasts from across Nigeria who wanted to unite and formalise their passion. It built on pioneers such as the A.B.U Titans (2011), the Lagos Marines (2013) and the Shitsuke co-ed flag league (2018).
Between 2020 and 2025 that passion became structure: school and campus leagues, a trained workforce of coaches and officials, and programs that put girls and women at the centre of the game. Today, as NAFA Sports Foundation, we are taking that model across the continent.
Promoting the HUDDLE Way: transforming lives through the game of American football.
2019
NAFA founded in Lagos. 2020 brings the first coaching and refereeing training with GO EDUCATE.
2022
NSSFFL Season 1 at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos: 40 teams and 800+ students.
2024
The Cleveland Browns are awarded Nigeria under the NFL Global Markets Program.
2025
Browns × NAFA partnership; Gridiron Gems and the NCFFL launch; Aketi Bowl III in Abuja.
2026
NFAF established; NAFA becomes NAFA Sports Foundation; Africa Forward at UNGA 81.
VISION
Every child. Every community. Through sport.
MISSION
Create opportunities, discover potential, nurture talent and transform lives by harnessing the power of sport to improve the wellbeing of children and young people, strengthen communities and address development challenges across Africa.
Excellence · Integrity · Community · Safeguarding · Innovation
The HUDDLE Way
H Health Physical wellness and safe participation. | U Unity Teamwork, discipline and collaboration. | D Diversity Access across gender, age and region. | D Development Capacity built through training and play. | L Livelihood Jobs, leadership and life skills. | E Entertainment The excitement that inspires communities. |
Five years in numbers
450,000+ People introduced to American football | 13,000+ Active players | 19 States reached | 2,000+ Coaches, referees and officials trained |
278 Schools in the NSSFFL, with 9,000+ students | 800+ NCFFL student-athletes in 29 institutions | 2,000+ Girls and women reached by Gridiron Gems | 1M+ Media reach |
Source: NAFA Impact Report 2020–2025
Our strategy: SCALE
S Strong Institutions Governance, leagues and sustainable funding that outlast any one season. | C Capacity Building & Awareness A licensed, paid career path for coaches, referees and teacher-coaches. | A Athletes’ Growth & Development A clear pathway from U-13 through school and campus leagues, with a plan for every athlete. | L Leadership & Youth Education Literacy, scholarships and youth-leadership councils. | E Equity: Girls & Women Girls and women playing, coaching, officiating and leading at every stage. |
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Gridiron Gems has expanded far beyond the field thus creating pathways for girls to lead, earn, and thrive through sport.
Nancy Damhindi · Gridiron Gems Lead
Explore more about us
Help us take the game further
Partner with NAFA Sports Foundation or give to put balls, flags and trained coaches into more schools and communities across Africa.
Every child. Every community. Through sport.
Excellence · Integrity · Community · Safeguarding · Innovation
CONNECT WITH US
Get involved
Contact
2 Alh. Kanke Street, off Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos
[email protected]
+234 810 580 9710
NAFA NETWORK NSSFFL · nssffl.comBrowns NigeriaNCFFL · ncffleague.comFlag Football Nigeria · flagfootball.ng
© 2026 NAFA Sports Foundation (Nigeria American Football Association). Site developed by Fan Africa Media · fan.africa | Privacy · Safeguarding · FAQ | Photos: NAFA on Flickr