American football continues to gain ground in Nigeria and carrying the torch for tackle and flag football in the nation known as the Giant of Africa ultimately rests with the Nigerian American Football Association (NAFA), led by its president Babajide ‘Baba’ Akaredolu.
Many NFL players of Nigerian descent have created interest in the sport their home country, among them Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor, who was born in Lagos. Agholor moved to the United States when he was five years old, and won Super Bowl LII with the Philadelphia Eagles, making 9 receptions for 84 yards in the title game.
Such successes at the highest level of the game have served as a catalyst for Nigerians to step onto the gridiron with flag football becoming established in schools and local leagues alongside tackle programs that began in 2011.