The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) has re-elected Dr. Ademola Are as its President, reaffirming confidence in his leadership to drive a new phase of growth and inclusivity for the sport.

The new horsemen on the saddle

The Indoor Sports Hall of Package B at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, buzzed with excitement as delegates, stakeholders, and supporters gathered for the NRFF elections — an event many described as a turning point for Nigerian rugby.

Proceedings began promptly at 9 a.m., and the election process ran smoothly under a cordial and transparent atmosphere. When the votes were tallied, Dr. Are was returned unopposed for another four-year term, drawing applause from delegates who hailed his steady leadership and commitment to development.

In his acceptance speech, the re-elected president expressed gratitude to past leaders and promised to focus on grassroots expansion, institutional partnerships, and stronger national competitions.

“This victory is not mine alone; it belongs to the entire rugby family,” Dr. Are said. “We will continue to work together to ensure that rugby claims its rightful place in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.”

He described the new board as “a blend of experience, capacity, and passion,” pledging to build on recent progress in coaching and talent development.

“The next four years will be exciting. We’re taking rugby into the NUGA Games, regional leagues, and para-military competitions. With the support of the National Sports Commission, we’ll deepen grassroots growth and strengthen our national teams,” he added.

Iyorhe Grace emerged as Vice President after defeating Mrs. Chinonye Daphey Aliyu by 11 votes to one, while other board members were drawn from all six geopolitical zones, ensuring broad representation.

The elections, widely hailed as peaceful and transparent, ended with cheers and camaraderie — a reflection of the shared resolve to reposition rugby in Nigeria.

With a renewed mandate and an inclusive leadership team, Nigerian rugby appears set for a fresh chapter of stability, innovation, and nationwide growth.

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Brampton, Canada — Nigeria’s women’s Rugby League national team, the Green Falcons, soared into the final of the International Rugby League (IRL) World Series after a commanding 10–0 victory over Ireland at the Terry Fox Stadium in Brampton, Canada.

The victory, which came against the world’s eighth-ranked side, sealed Nigeria’s place in the final and marked another milestone for the fast-rising African champions, currently ranked 17th globally.

Fedelia Omoghan opened the scoring with a hard-fought try late in the first half, though Shondell Akhabue, playing from Australia, narrowly missed the conversion to leave the score at 4–0.

Despite Ireland’s dominance in possession during the second half, Nigeria’s defense held firm. The turning point came when captain Rachael Illya capitalized on a loose ball 65 yards out, sprinting past the Irish defense to score a stunning solo try. Akhabue made no mistake with her second conversion, extending Nigeria’s lead to 10–0 — a scoreline that stood till the final whistle.

An emotional Akhabue described the moment as deeply personal, reflecting on her mixed heritage and pride in representing Nigeria.

“It means so much to the nation itself. You could just tell by our reaction when that final whistle went,” she said. “I’m Australian-based and half Nigerian, but I didn’t realize how much it would mean until that moment. I just broke down in tears — it was overwhelming.”

Team captain Blessing Aladeyelu hailed the result as a defining achievement for Nigerian women’s rugby.

“There’s emotion everywhere — happiness, pain, fatigue, but victory makes it all worth it,” she said. “Beating Ireland is a big deal. They’ve been playing rugby league for decades, long before it was introduced in Nigeria. This win means everything.”

Aladeyelu also praised the unity of the team, which includes players from Australia, Canada, and the UK.

“It wasn’t hard for us to bond because we had one goal — to make Nigeria proud and put our country’s name on the rugby league map,” she added.

Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Rugby League Association, Ade Adebisi, lauded the team’s progress, describing the victory as a symbol of Nigeria’s growing presence in world rugby.

“We’ve just beaten a rugby nation with 30 to 50 years of experience over us,” Adebisi said. “Our ladies have been playing for only about four years, yet look at what they’ve achieved. With more investment and opportunities, Nigeria can be known globally not just for football, but also for rugby.”

The Green Falcons will now face Fiji in the IRL World Series final after the Pacific side thrashed hosts Canada 48–0 in the second semi-final. However, Nigeria will be without key player Blessing Umude, who suffered an injury against Ireland and has been ruled out of the tournament.

The winner of the final will claim the last available spot for the 2026 International Rugby League Women’s World Cup, scheduled to be held in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Nigeria’s Green Falcons already hold the title of Middle East and Africa champions, and their latest triumph has further solidified their reputation as one of the fastest-emerging forces in women’s rugby league.

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Nigeria’s national women’s rugby league team, the Green Falcons, have landed in Canada ahead of their maiden appearance at the International Rugby League (IRL) Women’s World Series 2025. The 19-player squad, captained by Blessing Funmilayo Aladeyelu, touched down in Brampton on Sunday, marking a historic moment for Nigerian rugby.

The Green Falcons will open their campaign on Tuesday, October 21, when they take on Ireland at 3:30 p.m. (local time) at the Terry Fox Stadium in Brampton. Should they win, the Nigerians will face either Fiji or hosts Canada in the semi-final stage.

The final and third-place matches are scheduled for Sunday, October 26, also at Terry Fox Stadium. The championship game will feature the winners of the two opening fixtures.

Nigeria’s qualification for the global series came after their triumph as Middle East and Africa champions. The Falcons defeated Ghana home and away, and overcame Kenya with a win in Lagos and a draw in Nairobi to secure their spot at the global stage.

As part of their preparations, the Green Falcons held a three-week training camp at Alaro City International Rugby Pitch in Lagos, where they played two test matches against the Leopardess of Ghana. They impressed with back-to-back victories, winning the first game 40–0 and the second 24–8 on October 11, demonstrating strong form ahead of the World Series.

The squad features standout players including Success Iyoha, Ukwuoma Endurance, Shondell Akhabue, Innocent Adaeza, Adeola King, Rukayat Akinade, and Fedelia Omoghan, among others. Aminah Oluwabunmi has been listed as the team’s development/injury cover.

The IRL Women’s World Series in Canada represents a major milestone for Nigeria, showcasing the country’s growing presence in global rugby and marking the Green Falcons’ first-ever appearance at a world tournament.

Full Green Falcons Squad:
Success Iyoha; Blessing Funmilayo Aladeyelu (Captain); Ukwuoma Endurance; Umude Blessing; Shondell Akhabue; Innocent Adaeza; Adeola King; Rukayat Akinade; Fedelia Omoghan; Daneyelle Shobanjo; Siobhan Sheerin; Faustina Akeje; Becky Okitikpe; Catherine Akeje; Rachel Iliya; Chinaza Abbah; Vera Pedro; Lauretta Bayere; Abiola Obazuaye and Aminah Oluwabunmi.

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