US Consulate backs AFEDEV’s push for wheelchair American football in Nigeria

The US Consulate General Lagos has supported the development of wheelchair American football in Nigeria, collaborating with American Football Elite Development (AFEDEV) to stage an exhibition that promotes inclusion and expands opportunities for athletes with disabilities.

The exhibition, held on Thursday at the outdoor basketball area of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), National Stadium, Lagos, brought together wheelchair athletes, sports officials, diplomats, academics, corporate organisations and members of the public.

The US Consulate provided team jerseys, footballs and meals for participating athletes and also supported media coverage of the event through its press team.

Representatives of the Consulate and members of the wider U.S. diplomatic team participated in the exhibition, highlighting the mission’s support for sports as a platform for inclusion, engagement and people-to-people connections.

The collaboration with AFEDEV also provided an opportunity for Nigerian sports administrators from different states to observe wheelchair American football and consider how to introduce the sport in their respective locations.

Three exhibition games were played involving Iron Invicta, Liberty Pioneer, Lagos Dynamos and Atlantic Chargers.

Liberty Pioneer emerged as the standout team after winning both of its matches.

The team defeated Iron Invicta 13-0 in the opening game before beating Atlantic Chargers 10-3 in the third match. Atlantic Chargers had earlier defeated Lagos Dynamos 7-0.

US support for emerging sports

The exhibition attracted representatives of the German Embassy in Lagos, the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State University (LASU) and the National Institute for Sports.

Its Registrar and Deputy Registrar represented the NIS, while sports officials from other states attended to learn more about the sport and explore opportunities to replicate the initiative.

Corporate support strengthens the initiative

The exhibition also received support from corporate and sports-sector organisations, demonstrating growing private-sector interest in developing emerging sports opportunities in Nigeria.

Among the organisations that supported the event were MILO, Pocari Sweat and Sports Assist, SHOWTIME Nemsia Studio, UOU and AZOGI, alongside other supporting partners.

Speaking on the significance of the exhibition, Ojaideh Ufoma Lawrence, Executive Director of AFEDEV, said:

“This exhibition has demonstrated what is possible when athletes, diplomatic missions, government institutions, universities, businesses, the media and the wider sporting community come together around a shared vision.”

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“ We are particularly grateful to the U.S. Consulate General Lagos for collaborating with AFEDEV and providing practical support that helped make this event possible. Their contribution went beyond attendance; it directly supported the athletes and the successful delivery of the exhibition.”

“We are also encouraged by the interest shown by sports officials from other states who came to observe the sport and explore how they could replicate it.

For AFEDEV, this is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of a structured pathway for the development and expansion of Wheelchair American Football in Nigeria.”

AFEDEV said it would now begin discussions with additional states and partners on the development of athletes, coaches, and officials, as well as future exhibitions and competitions.

The organisation also plans to establish a super league that would give athletes opportunities to compete for titles and pursue participation on larger international platforms.

AFEDEV said its wider programmes include flag football, tackle football, wheelchair American football, athlete development, coaching and officials development, community engagement and youth leadership initiatives.