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IFAF Commends NSC’s Transparency, Confirms NFAF Recognition as Dikko, Olopade’s Vision Earns Global Backing
The leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC), under the Chairmanship of Mallam Shehu Dikko and the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, has received a significant endorsement from the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) following the world governing body’s confirmation that the Nigeria Federation of American Football (NFAF) is the organisation recognised to oversee the sport in Nigeria.
The clarification, issued by IFAF Managing Director Andy Fuller, validates the process undertaken by the National Sports Commission in February 2026 when it inaugurated the NFAF after extensive consultations aimed at unifying the administration of American football under one national structure.
Responding to enquiries on Nigeria’s membership status, Fuller explained that IFAF had been fully aware of the governance reforms introduced by the National Sports Commission and the establishment of the new federation.
«”Historically NAFA has been the IFAF Member Federation for Nigeria,” Fuller said.»
He noted that the international federation had followed the transition process from the beginning.
«”IFAF is aware of the changes to the governance of the sport in Nigeria and the formation of the new body, NFAF, drawing together NAFA and other key stakeholders to serve all forms of American football from grassroots through to high performance.”»
In what many stakeholders have described as a major vote of confidence in Nigeria’s sports administration, Fuller reserved special commendation for the National Sports Commission over the manner in which the transition was managed.
«”I am deeply grateful for the transparency shown by the Sports Commission during this process.”»
The commendation is expected to reinforce confidence in the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade, whose administration has consistently maintained that the establishment of the NFAF was aimed at bringing all stakeholders together under a single governing structure capable of driving the sustainable growth of American football across Nigeria.
Perhaps the most significant aspect of Fuller’s clarification was his unequivocal confirmation that the International Federation of American Football already recognises the Nigeria Federation of American Football as the body mandated by the National Sports Commission to administer the sport.
«”IFAF recognises NFAF as the body charged by the Sports Commission for the oversight of the sport and our records reflect this,” Fuller stated.»
He further explained that the only outstanding matter is an administrative update to IFAF’s public website.
«”In due course, our website will be updated to reflect the leadership of NFAF.”»
The statement also brings clarity to earlier speculation that Nigeria would have to wait for a future IFAF Congress before the country’s new federation could receive international recognition.
While IFAF’s Membership Principles provide that Associate Membership is conferred by Congress, the world governing body’s latest clarification confirms that the transition involving Nigeria has already been acknowledged. According to IFAF, the remaining update to its website is purely administrative and should not be interpreted as a constitutional or procedural obstacle to the federation’s recognition.
The development represents another milestone in the National Sports Commission’s efforts to reposition Nigerian sports through dialogue, stakeholder engagement, institutional reforms and adherence to international best practices.
It also provides certainty ahead of the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany, where Nigeria will compete in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
Expressing confidence in Team Nigeria, Fuller said:
«”In August we will welcome the Nigerian national teams to Germany to compete in the IFAF World Championships. I have no doubt that they will represent Nigeria well on the global stage and truly showcase the talent within the country.”»
For many within the American football community, the statement from the world governing body represents far more than a clarification. It is a strong endorsement of the National Sports Commission’s transparent approach to reform and a clear affirmation that the process leading to the establishment of the Nigeria Federation of American Football was undertaken with the knowledge, confidence and recognition of the sport’s international governing body.
With the issue of international recognition now clarified, the focus is expected to shift entirely to preparations for the World Championships, as Nigeria looks to build on its growing reputation as one of Africa’s emerging forces in American football and flag football.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday wondered why Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State is afraid of having the Rainbow Coalition in his state.
Wike said he owes no apology to Uzodinma over his friendship with a former governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha.
Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja, the minister declared that he is only interested in President Bola Tinubu's reelection.
He said: "I'm not in the APC, and before that judgment was given, he (Uzodinma) had openly warned that there is no Rainbow Coalition in Imo State, very uncivilized. So, when that happened, it was credited to me; how would it have been me?
"Why is Hope Uzodinma afraid of the Rainbow Coalition? What's the problem? You are running an election, and he is supporting you; you tell your supporters to vote for you, and I tell my supporters to vote for me, and we compound it together.
"Your business is to make sure that Mr President wins the election, and I owe you no apologies that Rochas is my friend, so will you kill me because my friend has an issue with you in your state?
"He also has friends in my state who are my political enemies; would I go and kill him? No."
You’re afraid of Rainbow Coalition, Okorocha is my friend – Wike to Hope Uzodinma
The Federal Government has welcomed GIG Mobility Group’s (GIGM) expansion into digital mobility services, urging the company to prioritise reliable service delivery as it moves beyond interstate transportation into travel booking and premium vehicle hire.
The government said digital mobility solutions must not only simplify travel arrangements but also guarantee dependable services and protect customers who rely on technology to organise their journeys.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Olufunso Adebiyi, represented by Usman Abubakar, Deputy Director, Road and Mass Transit, gave the admonition on Wednesday in Abuja at the unveiling of PASS by GIGM and hireX by GIGM.
Mr Adebiyi said the ministry remained open to partnerships with the company, describing the platforms as an innovation that could improve transportation and travel services.
He also stressed that the ministry hoped the company’s new services would benefit Nigerians and wished it success in its expansion.
According to the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin, the launch marked the beginning of the work required to sustain the services, warning that the company would need to meet customers’ expectations as demand grew.
“After we have launched today, the real work is going to start. Many customers will come in and demand this service. We have to be up to it,” he said.
Mr Osanipin said trust, reliability and responsive customer service were essential to the success of digital mobility platforms, particularly where customers were required to provide personal information and make payments before travelling.
He added that innovation must address practical problems and deliver solutions through technology in seamless, efficient ways.
GIGM’s background and expansion
GIG Mobility Group is a Nigerian transportation and technology company that began operations in 1998 as God Is Good Motors, providing interstate passenger transportation.
Founded by Edwin and Stella Ajaere in Benin City, the company initially operated between Benin City and Lagos before expanding its bus services to other Nigerian cities.
After Edwin Ajaere’s death, his son, Chidi Ajaere, took over management and led the company’s expansion and adoption of technology-driven transportation services.
The company rebranded from God Is Good Motors to GIG Mobility in 2019, reflecting its expansion beyond conventional passenger transportation.
It also expanded into Ghana, where it operates transportation services, including routes connecting Accra and Kumasi.
GIGM has introduced digital booking and transport management systems into its operations, allowing customers to book interstate journeys online rather than relying solely on physical terminals.
The company says it operates more than 40 terminals across Nigeria and Ghana. Its Chief Executive Officer, Enahoro Okhae, said the Gwagwalada terminal, opened on Tuesday, was its 40th terminal across West Africa.
What the new platforms offer
The two platforms are designed to extend GIGM’s services beyond its traditional interstate bus transportation business into other aspects of mobility and travel.
PASS by GIGM is a travel and tours platform that brings together flight bookings, hotel reservations, airport pickups, curated tours and interstate bus ticketing. It is intended to allow customers to organise different parts of a journey through one digital channel rather than booking each service separately.
hireX by GIGM, on the other hand, is a vehicle-hire marketplace offering chauffeur-driven vehicles for hourly, daily and one-way bookings. The service is designed for airport transfers, business trips, events and other journeys requiring hired vehicles.
According to the company, its Abuja fleet will comprise vehicles owned by GIGM and those operated by partner providers.
The platforms form part of the company’s broader plan to develop a mobility ecosystem that connects transportation with travel and related services.
GIGM says customer expectations are changing
Mr Okhae explained that the expansion was informed by changing customer expectations, particularly demands for convenience, speed, digital access and simpler travel arrangements.
He said the company had traditionally been known for moving passengers between states but was now seeking to provide services covering other parts of their journeys.
“Strong companies evolve. Strong companies listen. Strong companies learn. They adapt. They invest,” he said.
Mr Okhae added that the company was seeking to respond to the movement of people across Africa for business, education, family engagements, tourism and other opportunities.
He noted that GIGM’s expansion was based on the belief that customers increasingly needed connected services rather than separate transportation arrangements.
“The future belongs to connected solutions, not isolated services,” he said.
He said the company was building an ecosystem that would let customers access different services and organise their journeys.
Mr Okhae added that Abuja was strategic to the company’s expansion, explaining that the launch was intended to extend services already introduced in Lagos to customers in the capital.
Technology and operational capacity
Charles Oloyede, GIGM’s Head of Product, said technology had enabled the company to expand into other segments of the mobility business.
ALSO READ: CREDICORP rolls out first CNG mobility activation in Adamawa, advancing its 10,000 mobility rollout
He explained that the company’s existing technological infrastructure supported road and air travel services, helping it manage operations and provide customers with different travel options.
Mr Oloyede said the company relied on technology to manage operational complexities that would be difficult to handle manually.
He added that GIGM had about 150 daily touchpoints, although he did not clarify whether the figure referred to transactions, operational contacts or customer interactions.
He also noted that the company’s technology had been developed to support its operations and provide customers with a more coordinated travel experience.
According to Mr Oloyede, Abuja was an important market for the company, and the launch was intended to extend services already available in Lagos to customers in the capital.
NADDC highlights reliability and customer trust
Mr Osanipin said customers would need confidence in the platforms before entrusting them with personal information, payments and travel arrangements.
He noted that reliability and responsive customer service were equally important, particularly when customers encountered difficulties or needed urgent assistance.
The NADDC director-general said the company’s experience in transportation could help it respond to customers’ needs but cautioned against assuming that the launch alone would guarantee success.
He urged the management to continue improving its services and avoid complacency.
“When you are number one, think as number two,” he said.
The platforms come at a time when customers increasingly use digital channels to arrange transportation and other services.
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