Established in 2019, NAFA develops and delivers grassroots, school, collegiate, women-focused, and community programmes that expand access to flag football. Its initiatives include the Nigeria Secondary School Flag Football League, collegiate flag football programmes, national competitions, youth capacity-building activities, and Gridiron GEMS, its female-focused initiative supporting the participation and advancement of girls and women in the sport.
Through its programmes, NAFA has engaged over 500,000+ young people, established teams within schools and communities, trained coaches and referees, supported educational scholarship opportunities, and created pathways for athletes and sports professionals. Its work is guided by “The HUDDLE Way,” representing Health, Unity, Diversity, Development, Livelihood, and Entertainment.
NAFA has also played a significant role in Nigeria’s emergence as a leading force in African American football. In 2025, Nigeria’s men’s and women’s national flag football teams both won gold at the IFAF African Flag Football Championships in Cairo, Egypt, securing continental titles and reinforcing the country’s growing reputation on the international stage. The achievement highlighted the strength of Nigeria’s athlete development pathway and the impact of NAFA’s continued investment in grassroots participation, coaching, competition structures, and talent identification.
