By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) has taken a major step towards advancing rugby development in the country by opening discussions with the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Lagos, on a strategic partnership focused on coaching education, technical development and grassroots participation.
The initiative is expected to boost the quality of coaching and sports education in Nigeria while creating more opportunities for aspiring rugby coaches and players through internationally recognised training programmes.
Representing NRFF President, Ademola Are, the Federation’s General Manager, Azeez Ladipo, said the partnership would build on the Federation’s investment in coach education with the support of World Rugby and Rugby Africa.
He noted that the NRFF has successfully trained Nigerian coaches, match officials, medical personnel and educators, and now possesses the capacity to deliver World Rugby certification courses in collaboration with the Institute.
As part of the engagement, the Federation donated rugby balls and other sporting equipment to support the National Institute for Sports’ forthcoming Coaches Olympics, underscoring its commitment to grassroots development and institutional collaboration.
Ladipo also highlighted the success of the NRFF’s Rugby Rising Play Nigeria programme, which has introduced non-contact rugby to 7,343 girls between the ages of 10 and 18 across 20 states.
According to him, the Federation is now focused on expanding the initiative nationwide while strengthening its technical development programmes.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports, Comrade Philip Shaibu, the Institute’s Registrar, Belmond Benson, described the proposed partnership as a timely initiative that would enhance coaching excellence, capacity building and sports development in Nigeria.
Also speaking during the meeting, Visiting Professor Fasun emphasised the need to raise awareness of rugby through education and increased grassroots engagement.
Both organisations agreed to continue discussions towards a formal partnership that will introduce World Rugby certification programmes at the Institute, expand coaching opportunities and accelerate the sustainable growth of rugby and sports education across Nigeria.
