The Nigerian American Football Association (NAFA) has officially flagged off the national finals of the Nigerian Secondary School Flag Football League Season 4, marking a major step forward in the sport’s rapid growth across the country.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, NAFA Vice President Oluwaseye Obatolu said the league has transformed from a small initiative into a nationwide, data-driven youth development platform. Participation has expanded significantly, with 11 states competing in the preliminaries and seven states—Oyo, Ondo, Kwara, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and the FCT—qualifying for the AKETI Bowl III finals.
Both male and female teams are participating, which Obatolu described as proof of “a deeper talent pool and rising nationwide enthusiasm.”
According to NAFA, flag football is now one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing school sports due to its affordability, inclusiveness, and emphasis on teamwork and discipline. Obatolu also highlighted increasing scholarship opportunities, formal coaching pathways, and international exposure for young athletes.
He paid tribute to late former Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, NAFA’s founding chairman, calling the AKETI Bowl “a living testament to his legacy of structure, discipline and youth development.”
This year’s finals include special empowerment programmes for young women under the GRIDIRON’s GEM Initiative, offering mentorship, leadership training, health sessions, and personal development workshops. A similar programme for male athletes will run alongside the tournament.
Olabisi Joseph, President of the Nigerian School Sports Federation, represented by Vice President Emmanuel Ibong, reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to NAFA following a recently formalised five-year partnership. Ibong praised the league for positively engaging students and reducing social vices through structured sports activities.
Coordinator of the NSSFFL, Oluwatobi Abe, announced increased marketing efforts, upgraded officiating standards, and volunteer-driven training programmes introduced this season. He confirmed that cash prizes of ₦1m, ₦750,000 and ₦350,000 will be awarded to the top three teams and outstanding student-athletes.
NAFA also acknowledged support from partners, including Browns Nigeria, affiliated with the Cleveland Browns, for continued investment in grassroots football development.
As the AKETI Bowl III finals begin in Abuja, NAFA says its long-term goal is to make flag football one of Nigeria’s safest, most structured, and scalable school sports.
