The Nigerian American Football Association (NAFA), in partnership with Browns Nigeria, has launched “Gridiron Gems,” an initiative to introduce American football to 150,000 girls across Nigeria, focusing on sports, life skills, and leadership development

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n a significant stride towards gender inclusion and youth empowerment in sports, the Nigerian American Football Association (NAFA), in collaboration with Browns Nigeria, officially launched the transformative Gridiron Gems program.

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The launch event, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, marked the beginning of an ambitious initiative to introduce American football to 150,000 girls across Nigeria by 2030.

The program aims to provide these young women with crucial life skills, leadership training, and pathways for long-term personal development.

The launch event was a vibrant gathering of prominent figures and stakeholders from the realms of sports, gender advocacy, and community development.

Engaging panel discussions and breakout sessions were central to the event, focusing on sensitizing young girls to vital issues such as personal safety, self-empowerment, and the continuous development of essential skills.

Speakers delivered powerful messages underscoring the importance of self-advocacy and the protection of personal boundaries in all facets of life, both on and off the field.

Her Excellency Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, former First Lady of Ondo State and a key speaker, passionately emphasized the critical need for girls to recognize their inherent potential and capabilities.

Drawing from her extensive experience with the BEMORE bootcamp, she illustrated how programs like Gridiron Gems cultivate a supportive environment where girls can build self-esteem, discover hidden strengths, and acquire crucial life skills.

“Empowerment is knowledge-based,” she asserted, highlighting the significance of equipping young girls with the tools necessary to improve their economic and social outcomes.

“Empowerment is knowledge-based,” stated former First Lady of Ondo State, Her Excellency Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, emphasizing the importance of equipping young girls with essential life skills.

Babajide Akeredolu, NAFA President and co-founder, demystified American football, emphasizing its accessibility to everyone, regardless of perceived complexity.

He passionately encouraged young girls to embrace the sport, highlighting its unique capacity for both physical engagement and the cultivation of leadership qualities.

“American football is inclusive. It doesn’t matter your body type or height—everyone has a role to play,” he affirmed.

The Gridiron Gems initiative has also garnered significant support from influential women in the sports industry. Lolia Kienka, CEO of Gameday and a prominent speaker at the event, delivered an inspiring message to the attendees, urging the girls to seize every opportunity presented to them, both in sports and in their broader lives.

“Stand up for yourself. Know your worth, and always strive to improve,” Talia advised, her words resonating deeply with the young attendees, encouraging them to pursue their passions without succumbing to societal limitations.

Nancy Damhindi, NAFA legal representative and the program coordinator, elucidated that Gridiron Gems transcends a traditional athletic program, evolving into a powerful movement dedicated to fostering the growth of female athletes, coaches, and referees.

The initiative’s long-term vision includes the ambitious goal of training 10,000 women as coaches and referees and introducing the sport to over 150,000 girls by 2030.

She assured the audience of the program’s commitment to actively monitoring and evaluating its progress to ensure the sustainable growth of female participation in American football at all levels.

The event also featured interactive breakout sessions where girls actively participated in practical workshops focusing on essential skills such as digital literacy, self-defense, and entrepreneurship.

These sessions were strategically designed to complement the athletic focus of the program, reinforcing the critical importance of education, safety, and economic independence.

Organizers emphasized that the overarching goal extends beyond creating skilled athletes to empowering young women capable of making significant contributions to their communities and society at large.

With an impressive turnout of over 400 participants, the launch event underscored a strong collective commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of young girls through the transformative power of sports.

The palpable enthusiasm from both the girls and the event organizers signaled the commencement of a transformative journey for Nigerian women in sports.

By fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, the Gridiron Gems program aspires to lay a solid foundation for a future where women are not only active participants in sports but also influential leaders and catalysts for change in all aspects of life.

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Looking ahead, NAFA plans to continue forging local partnerships, including collaborations with schools and grassroots organizations, to broaden the reach of the Gridiron Gems initiative and ensure that more girls across Nigeria have access to this unique and empowering opportunity.