World Rugby has officially commended Nigeria Rugby Football Federation for its rapidly expanding global influence in T1 Rugby, the non-contact form of the sport that emphasises safe participation and broad-based engagement for young players.
In a pictorial press release distributed on 23 February 2026, the world governing body listed Nigeria alongside established rugby-playing nations such as England and the Netherlands for its progress in developing and adopting T1 Rugby programmes at scale.
World Rugby highlighted several milestones in Nigeria’s journey, including the cultivation of locally certified World Rugby educators, a strategic move that has strengthened Nigeria’s training capacity and reduced dependency on external facilitators. The country has also successfully delivered in-person T1 Rugby courses for coaches and physical education teachers notably in Delta State and expanded the number of clubs offering the sport.
Grassroots engagement has surged as World Rugby’s emphasis on reassuring parents about the safety and enjoyment of T1 Rugby has led to increased participation among children and young people.
Reacting to the global recognition, NRFF President Dr. Ademola Are praised all stakeholders for their collective effort in growing the sport locally.
“This recognition is the result of the support from everyone involved. While we are not yet where we want to be, the positive signs give us confidence that we will reach our goals,” Are said.
NRFF General Manager Azeez Ladipo described the commendation as validation of the federation’s progress and reiterated the importance of continued backing from both government and private partners.
“This is a testament to the level of growth we have achieved within a short period. With stronger support from both the private sector and government, we can accomplish even more,” Ladipo noted.
Nigeria’s ongoing prioritisation of grassroots rugby expansion, including initiatives such as Rugby Rising Play Naija, continues to create inclusive pathways particularly for the girl child and supports the federation’s vision of broadening the sport’s reach nationwide.
