More than four months after the National Sports Commission (NSC) officially inaugurated the Nigeria Federation of American Football (NFAF) as the country’s governing body for the sport, the federation is yet to appear as Nigeria’s recognized member on the official website of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF).
The NSC formally inaugurated the NFAF in February 2026 following the resolution of internal disputes among stakeholders, with Babajide Akeredolu appointed as the pioneer President of the federation.
At the inauguration, the Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, described the creation of the federation as a significant milestone that would provide the structure needed to unlock Nigeria’s immense potential in American football.
Since then, the federation has embarked on several activities, including nationwide national team trials, evaluation camps, and preparations for international competitions.
However, as of Sunday, June 21, 2026, the official membership directory of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) still lists American Football Association of Nigeria (NAFA) as Nigeria’s Associate Member.
The IFAF website continues to display NAFA’s details, including its logo, contact information, and leadership, with no indication that the newly inaugurated Nigeria Federation of American Football has replaced it as the country’s recognized member on the global body’s platform.
The development has raised questions among stakeholders regarding the international status of the newly established federation and whether the transition from NAFA to NFAF has been formally completed at the global level.
While the National Sports Commission has since recognized NFAF as Nigeria’s official governing body for American football, no public announcement has yet been made by IFAF confirming a corresponding change in its membership records.
Sports administrators note that recognition by a national sports authority and affiliation with an international governing body are separate administrative processes, with international recognition often requiring additional documentation, constitutional compliance, and formal approval by the world federation.
Until such a process is concluded, stakeholders believe clarity from both the National Sports Commission and the International Federation of American Football will be important to avoid uncertainty, particularly as Nigeria prepares its national teams for upcoming international competitions.
For now, the situation presents an unusual scenario in which the federation recognized domestically by Nigeria’s sports authorities is yet to be reflected on the official membership records of the sport’s world governing body.
