The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) participated in the inaugural Sports Africa Investment Summit (SAIS) 2025, themed “Unleashing Africa’s Potential: Investing in Sports Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future.”
The event brought together policymakers, investors, and industry leaders to explore transformative strategies that unlock significant opportunities across Africa’s sports ecosystem.
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Led by NRFF COO Tunde Delu, General Manager Azeez Ladipo, and World Rugby Educator (Coaching) Wuraola Hussain, the NRFF delegation joined other invited participants from across Africa at this landmark event.
Held on February 17 and 18, 2025, SAIS 2025 was the first-ever investment summit in Africa dedicated to sports. A key milestone of the event was the signing of a landmark agreement between Sport Nigeria Ltd and the Abia State government, aimed at enhancing sports infrastructure and development.
Federations as Business Drivers: Key Insights from the Summit
A major highlight of the summit was a breakout session titled “National Sports Federations as Business Drivers of their Sport – Alignment of Interest to Facilitate Collaborations and Partnerships between the Private Sector and Federations.”
This session brought together industry experts to discuss strategies for leveraging sports to drive social and economic growth within communities.
The panel featured:
Ms. Vanessa Obi (B&I) – Moderator
Olanrewaju Ogunjobi – Technical Assistant to the National Sports Commission Chairman
Adeyinka Samuel – President, Nigeria Fencing Federation
Azeez Ladipo – General Manager, Nigeria Rugby Football Federation
The event was graced by His Royal Highness, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, who served as the Royal Father of the Day, further elevating the significance of the summit.
Government’s Commitment to Sports as an Economic Tool
The Presidency’s National Sports Commission partnered with Sport Nigeria Ltd. to host the groundbreaking event, highlighting the government’s commitment to using sports as a tool for economic transformation.
Through their participation in this conference, NRFF and other stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening capabilities, fostering partnerships, and contributing to the overall growth of sports across Africa.
Landmark Agreement with Abia State Government
One of the summit’s key outcomes was the agreement signed between Sport Nigeria Ltd. and the Abia State government. This partnership is expected to usher in a new era of sports equipment manufacturing, youth empowerment, and economic opportunities in the state, further reinforcing sports as a driver of development in Nigeria.
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