Nigeria Rugby Football Federation unveils 2026 calendar
The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation has announced its 2026 calendar, emphasizing women's rugby, grassroots growth, and expanded domestic competitions.
The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) has laid out an ambitious plan for 2026, focusing on a comprehensive calendar that aims to enhance the domestic structure of rugby in Nigeria while promoting women's rugby at the continental level. Tolu Oguntimehin, the federation's media coordinator, highlighted that the roadmap aims to foster grassroots growth, promote youth development, and establish high-performance pathways for athletes in both rugby formats, 7s and 15s.
The federation’s strategic plan includes the launch of a National 7s Circuit for men and women across several states, such as Kano, Lagos, Delta, and Edo, which aims to boost rugby's local appeal and participation. Additionally, a six-zone National 15s League will be initiated, representing a significant expansion of competitive opportunities, with the national finals to be held in Abuja. This comprehensive framework is seen as a pivotal step toward strengthening Nigeria's rugby presence on the international stage.
Moreover, the inclusion of youth tournaments is designed to nurture the next generation of rugby players, underlining the NRFF’s commitment to developing talent from the grassroots level. With this new calendar, the NRFF intends to not only increase participation in the sport but also enhance Nigeria's competitiveness in rugby globally, especially in women's leagues, where they aspire to make a mark.