Wheelchair football gains momentum with Lagos exhibition

American Football Elite Development has disclosed plans to establish a Wheelchair American Football Super League in Nigeria, following the successful hosting of the country’s landmark Wheelchair American Football Exhibition in Lagos.

The exhibition, held at the outdoor basketball area of the National Institute for Sports, National Stadium, Lagos, brought together wheelchair athletes, sports administrators, diplomatic representatives, government and sports officials, academic institutions, corporate organisations and members of the public in a demonstration of the sport’s potential in Nigeria.

Liberty Pioneer emerged as the standout side of the exhibition, recording two victories from three games. The team opened with a 13-0 win over Iron Invicta before defeating Atlantic Chargers 10-3 in the final game, having earlier watched Atlantic Chargers overcome Lagos Dynamos 7-0 to book their place in the decisive encounter.

A significant feature of the event was the collaboration between AFEDEV and the United States Consulate General, Lagos, which provided team jerseys, footballs and meals for participants, while also supporting the event’s visibility through its media team. Representatives of the United States diplomatic mission, alongside officials of the German Embassy, the University of Lagos, Lagos State University and the National Institute for Sports, attended the exhibition.

Sports officials from other Nigerian states were also present, with some travelling to Lagos specifically to study the sport and explore how it could be introduced in their respective states.

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AFEDEV Executive Director, Ojaideh Ufoma Lawrence, described the exhibition as the beginning of a broader development programme rather than an isolated event.

“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.

“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,” Lawrence said.

He said AFEDEV would now intensify efforts to expand Wheelchair American Football across Nigeria, develop athletes, coaches and officials, and build stronger institutional and corporate partnerships, with the proposed Super League intended to provide regular competitive opportunities for teams, create a pathway for athletes to compete for national titles and potentially prepare Nigerian players for bigger international platforms.

The initiative has also attracted support from corporate organisations, including Nestle Milo, Pocari Sweat, Sports Assist, Showtime Nemsia Studio, UOU and Azogi.