The Nigerian American Football Association (NAFA), in partnership with Browns Nigeria, has officially launched the Gridiron Gems program at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
The initiative aims to introduce American football to 150,000 girls across Nigeria while equipping them with essential life skills, leadership training, and opportunities for long-term personal development.
The event, which attracted prominent figures and stakeholders in sports, gender advocacy, and community development, featured a series of engaging panel discussions and breakout sessions.
These sessions focused on sensitizing young girls about critical issues such as personal safety, self-empowerment, and the importance of continuous skill development.
Meanwhile, former First Lady of Ondo State, Her Excellency Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, a key speaker, emphasized the need for girls to recognize their potential and capabilities.
Drawing from her experience running the BEMORE bootcamp, she explained how programs like Gridiron Gems create an enabling environment where girls can build self-esteem, discover new strengths, and develop crucial life skills.
“Empowerment is knowledge-based,” she said, highlighting the importance of equipping young girls with the tools to improve their economic and social outcomes.
American Football Is Accessible to Everyone
Babajide Akeredolu, NAFA President and co-founder, spoke about how American football, despite its perception as a complex sport, is accessible to everyone.
He encouraged young girls to embrace the game, noting that it provides an opportunity for physical engagement and leadership development.
“American football is inclusive. It doesn’t matter your body type or height—everyone has a role to play,” he said.
The Gridiron Gems initiative also garnered significant support from women in sports. CEO of Gameday, Lolia Kienka, a prominent speaker at the event, delivered an inspiring message to the attendees.
She urged the girls to seize every opportunity that comes their way, both in sports and in life.
“Stand up for yourself. Know your worth, and always strive to improve,” Talia advised. Her words resonated with the young attendees, who were encouraged to pursue their passions without fear of societal limitations.
NAFA’s Vision for 150,000 Girls
Nancy Damhindi, NAFA legal representative and program coordinator, explained that Gridiron Gems is more than just an athletic program—it’s a movement for fostering the growth of female athletes, coaches, and referees.
The initiative’s long-term vision includes training 10,000 women as coaches and referees and introducing the sport to over 150,000 girls by 2030.
She assured the audience that the program would actively monitor and evaluate its progress to ensure the growth and sustainability of female participation in American football at all levels.
The event also included multiple breakout sessions where girls participated in practical workshops on skills like digital literacy, self-defense, and entrepreneurship.
These sessions complement the athletic focus of the program, reinforcing the importance of education, safety, and economic independence.
Gridiron Gems: Empowering Young Girls
The organizers stressed that the goal was not just to create skilled athletes, but to empower young women capable of making a significant impact in their communities and society.
With a turnout of over 400 participants, the event showed a strong commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of young girls through sports.
As the initiative progresses, NAFA plans to continue building local partnerships with schools and grassroots organizations to expand its reach and ensure that more girls across Nigeria have access to this unique opportunity.