On 22 January 2025 the Cleveland Browns announced a partnership with the Nigerian American Football Association (NAFA) to grow and strengthen youth football programmes across Nigeria.
The collaboration builds on the Browns' March 2024 award of Nigeria's international marketing rights through the NFL Global Markets Program. Its focus is the grassroots: building youth football infrastructure, teaching teamwork, discipline and leadership through the game, and creating a development pipeline for Nigerian talent.
What the partnership delivers
“We are incredibly proud to partner with the Nigerian American Football Association.”
Brent Rossi · SVP of Marketing and Media, Cleveland Browns
For NAFA, the partnership arrives as American football gains momentum across Africa. The Browns' support is aimed at making the sport more accessible and opening pathways for Nigerian athletes at grassroots, collegiate and professional level.
“The biggest winners are the youth who will be exposed to a new sport.”
Babajide Akeredolu · Co-Founder and President, NAFA
Before the partnership
The Browns' connection with Nigeria began in 2024. Nigerian sports and culture personality Ozoemena “Ozo” Chukwu announced the club's 156th overall pick, Jamari Thrash, at the NFL Draft, and later served as Coin Toss Captain for the Browns' season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
Since the announcement
Gridiron Gems players with the Browns Nigeria banner. Photo: NAFA.
February 2025
Super Bowl LIX watch party
A Browns Nigeria fan activation in Lagos.
April 2025
Gridiron Gems launches in Lagos
Coaching, leadership and mentorship for girls and women in flag football.
November 2025
Aketi Bowl III national finals
Seven states qualify from 11 for the secondary school finals.
December 2025
One Ball, One Flag, One Future
2,000+ footballs from the Browns and 5,000 NFL FLAG kits announced for schools and leagues.
February 2026
Co-hosted at Bature Brewery, Lagos, on 8 February.
April 2026
U-13 Co-Ed Invitational, 2nd edition
13 schools; champions qualify for the NFL FLAG U-13 African Championship.
About NAFA
The Nigerian American Football Association was founded in 2019 by Babajide Akeredolu, Seye Obatolu and Lawrence Ojaideh as Nigeria's national body dedicated to growing American football. Its mission, The HUDDLE Way, stands for Health, Unity, Diversity, Development, Livelihood and Entertainment. At the time of the announcement NAFA had introduced the sport to more than 7,000 young people across 13 states and 150+ schools, runs a secondary school league with the Nigeria School Sports Federation and capacity-building with NFL FLAG, and is an associate member of IFAF.
About Browns Nigeria
Browns Nigeria is the Cleveland Browns' home in Nigeria, established after the club was awarded the country's international marketing rights under the NFL Global Markets Program in March 2024.
