NAFA to Host UNGA 81 Side Event on Sport for Development in AfricaThe Nigeria American Football Association (NAFA) will host a side event at the 81st United Nations General Assembly titled “Africa Forward: Harnessing Sport for Inclusion, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Development.”
The event will bring together leaders across sport, development, education, government, philanthropy and the private sector to explore how Sport for Development can advance inclusion, youth empowerment and sustainable impact across Africa.
Organised by NAFA in partnership with the Cleveland Browns, NABU, AUDA-NEPAD and other partners, and in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, the side event will highlight the growing role of sport as a practical tool for addressing development challenges and creating opportunities for young people.
With Africa home to the world’s youngest population, the event will focus on how structured sport programmes can support education, leadership, wellbeing, gender inclusion, skills development and livelihoods. It will also position Sport for Development within Africa’s continental priorities, particularly Agenda 2063’s focus on youth, women, education, wellbeing and inclusive growth.
NAFA’s work in Nigeria provides a strong case study for this conversation. Through flag football and American football, NAFA has developed school-based leagues, grassroots programmes, girls-focused initiatives, collegiate pathways, and coach and official development opportunities. Its programmes have reached young people across multiple states and supported wider pathways into leadership, education, international exposure and sport-related opportunities.
The programme will feature a keynote address by H.E. Senator Jimoh F. Ibrahim, CFR, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, as well as goodwill messages from invited leaders including Margaret Olele, CEO of the African Business Council.
The side event will include two moderated panel discussions. The first, “Sport, Education and Youth Pathways: Strengthening Progression from Participation to Leadership and Livelihoods,” will examine how structured sport programmes can move young people beyond participation and create pathways into education, leadership, skills development and employability.
The second panel, “Playing as One: Building Multisector Partnerships for Sustainable Sport-for-Development in Africa,” will focus on the partnerships needed to build sustainable sport-for-development systems across the continent. It will explore how governments, regional institutions, international organisations, sport bodies, civil society, philanthropy and the private sector can work together to support locally led programmes with measurable development outcomes.
Confirmed and expected participating organisations include AUDA-NEPAD, the United Nations Youth Office, the National Football League, Cleveland Browns, NABU, the International Olympic Committee, Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and other development and sport stakeholders.
Speaking ahead of the event, NAFA President Babajide Akeredolu said the gathering is an opportunity to show how sport can serve as a platform for inclusion, youth leadership and development across Africa.
“At NAFA, we see sport as more than competition. We see it as a way to discover potential, nurture talent, create opportunities and transform lives,” he said. “This side event gives us the opportunity to bring partners together around a shared vision for using sport to support Africa’s young people.”The event will also feature video showcases, youth reflections, audience interventions, networking and media engagement.
Through this side event, NAFA hopes to strengthen dialogue and partnerships around Sport for Development and Sport for All, while positioning Nigeria and Africa as important contributors to the global conversation on sport, inclusion, youth empowerment and sustainable development.
Event Details
Theme: Africa Forward: Harnessing Sport for Inclusion, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Development
Date: 21 September 2026
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Venue: 21st Floor Hall, Nigeria House, 828 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017, United States
Livestream: @nafa_ng
For RSVP: https://nafa.ng/unga81