The Nigerian American Football Association (NAFA), have unveiled plans for Season 4 of the Nigerian Secondary School Flag Football League (NSSFFL).

Speaking in Lagos on Thursday, Secretary General of NAFA, Lawrence Ojaide, said that the Nigerian Secondary Schools Flag Football League, a grassroot sporting program powered by NAFA, will continue to redefine the landscape of school sports development in Nigeria through the values of The HUDDLE Way: Health, Unity, Diversity, Development, Livelihood and Entertainment.

According to him, NSSFFL is the largest gathering of flag-football enthusiasts in Africa, a continental hub for youth engagement, sports education, and athletic discovery that has placed Nigeria at the forefront of the sport’s growth on the continent.

“When the NSSFFL first kicked off as a pilot initiative in Lagos in 2022, our vision was to introduce a new sport to Nigerian secondary schools in a way that inspires teamwork, leadership, and strategic thinking. Three years later, that vision has grown into a national movement with structured participation across multiple states, giving thousands of young Nigerians a chance to learn, play, and dream through the game of flag football.

“From that humble beginning in 2022 with approximately 900 athletes across both male and female divisions, the NSSFFL has grown significantly over the seasons. Today, the league engages roughly 6,000 participants — making it a central convergence point for flag football enthusiasts across Nigeria and reinforcing its status as Africa’s largest school-level flag football competition,” he stated.

Ojaide revealed that participation in the Season 4 (2025) is projected to surpass 1,300 student- athletes across 11 active states, each fielding a minimum of ten competing teams — a strong testament to the League’s continued growth and stability.

“This trajectory of growth from hundreds to thousands validates our approach and underlines the urgency of creating pathways, sustaining infrastructure, and deepening access across more states and communities

“A particularly important evolution for this season is the introduction of a clear developmental pipeline for our student-athletes. Historically, when players completed their time in the

NSSFFL, they often faced the question: “Where do I go next?” especially in states without a senior league infrastructure. Today, we are proud to announce the upcoming launch of the Nigeria Collegiate Flag Football League (NCFFL), in partnership with the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA), which will ensure these talented young athletes (male and female) continue their flag-football journey at the tertiary level. By providing the pathway from secondary to university, polytechnic or specialised college, we are transforming participation into progression, and potential into performance.”

“Moreover, the NSSFFL is already delivering measurable outcomes. Some of our former secondary school players have progressed to the national teams, and proudly represented Nigeria at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship where our men’s and women’s teams both secured gold medals. This achievement is a testament to the investment we are making at the youth level, and proof that school-based flag-football can serve as a genuine feeder into international competition,” he added.

Ojaide praised their partners, including Browns Nigeria, Unique Open University, Allez Charis Gas Limited, Zibwe, Stretford Hill Limited and Gridiron Gems.

Also speaking at the event, the Coordinator, NSSFL, Abe Oluwatobi, stated that all technical officials that will oversee the Season 4 have gotten the necessary requirement, adding that arrangements are in place for a one-day seminar, where media men will be given some tutorial, particularly the difference between American Football and Rugby.

He also hinted that the preliminary for the Season 4 will begin soon across the states. (The Guardian)