Azeez Amida, President of Nigeria Showtime Flag Football, has taken a bold step in transforming the landscape of flag football in Nigeria.
After successfully building the country’s first standard flag football stadium in Lekki, Lagos—an independent achievement driven by private efforts—Amida and his team have now secured the support of the National Sports Commission (NSC) to expand the sport across the nation.
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From Private Initiative to National Expansion
The Lekki flag football stadium was a groundbreaking milestone, providing a professional facility for players and enthusiasts.
Built without government assistance, this achievement demonstrated the sport’s growing popularity and the commitment of private stakeholders.
However, recognizing the need for national expansion, Amida and his team engaged the NSC to seek official support in making flag football accessible across Nigeria.
During a recent high-level meeting, NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko—represented by Senior Special Adviser Bar. Musa Amadu—pledged the Commission’s commitment to supporting flag football development nationwide.
“We have seen the success of the Lekki stadium and acknowledge the efforts of Showtime Flag Football in developing the sport,” Dikko stated. “Now, we want to work together to take flag football beyond Lagos and into every part of Nigeria.”
Building a Strong Grassroots Foundation
With the NSC’s backing, plans are in place to establish flag football programs in schools and communities.
By integrating the sport into existing school sports structures such as NSSF, NUGA, and NIPOGA, young talents will be discovered and nurtured from an early age.
“If we want sports to grow in Nigeria, we must invest in the grassroots,” Dikko emphasized. “Flag football is an exciting and accessible sport, and we believe it can become one of Nigeria’s major sports if introduced in schools and local leagues.”
National Infrastructure and Development Plans
With the NSC’s endorsement, the next phase involves constructing additional flag football stadiums in different states. The goal is to create regional hubs where players can train, compete, and develop their skills professionally.
Folajimi Akinsola, representing Showtime Flag Football, highlighted the importance of expanding infrastructure: “For any sport to thrive, it needs the right environment. With the NSC’s support, we can now scale up, ensuring that every region in Nigeria has access to standard playing facilities.”
A New Era for Nigerian Sports
The partnership between the NSC and Showtime Flag Football marks a new chapter in Nigerian sports development. By combining private sector innovation with government support, flag football is set to become a mainstream sport in Nigeria.
With Azeez Amida’s leadership and the NSC’s commitment, the vision of building a national flag football infrastructure is now becoming a reality—ushering in a new era of opportunities for young athletes across the country.
