To
The President and Executive Board
International Federation of American Football (IFAF)
We write this open letter in the spirit of respect, clarity, and the shared objective of protecting the integrity and sustainable growth of flag football and American football globally.
IFAF has consistently stated—and rightly so—that it is a member-based organisation, with membership limited to one recognised National Federation per country, subject to clearly defined criteria and approval by peers at the IFAF Congress. This principle is foundational to good governance, international legitimacy, and alignment with national sports authorities across the world.
It is therefore important to restate a key fact clearly and without ambiguity:
Nigeria currently does not have a government-recognised Flag Football Federation.
This position has been formally and publicly confirmed by the National Sports Commission (NSC) of Nigeria, the only body empowered under Nigerian law to recognise and regulate sports federations. In its official press statement dated December 2, 2025, the NSC made it unequivocally clear that:
No association or body is recognised to represent Nigeria in international flag football competitions
No group has authority to act on behalf of Nigeria
The NSC is actively finalising a unified national federation and will conduct elections immediately after its inauguration
Against this backdrop, concerns have arisen regarding the conduct and public posture of an Associated Member of IFAF in Nigeria, operating under the name American Football Associations of Nigeria (NAFA).
While IFAF’s framework allows for Associated Membership, it is universally understood that such status does not confer national representation rights, nor does it override the authority of a country’s legally constituted sports regulator. Associated Membership is, by definition, interim, limited, and non-sovereign—a bridge, not a destination.
Yet in Nigeria, actions have been taken that appear to blur this distinction. Communications have been issued that present the Associated Member as a national authority, engaging stakeholders and positioning itself as a unifying body at a time when the NSC has explicitly stated that no such mandate exists and that all processes are currently under government supervision.
This situation risks creating confusion among athletes, coaches, international partners, and the public, and could inadvertently place IFAF in conflict with Nigeria’s lawful sports governance framework—something we are confident the Federation does not intend.
We therefore respectfully but firmly call on IFAF to:
1. Publicly reaffirm the limits of Associated Membership in Nigeria, making clear that it does not equate to national representation.
2. Direct the Associated Member in Nigeria to cease any actions or communications that imply national authority or exclusivity.
3. Align fully with the National Sports Commission of Nigeria during this transitional period, recognising that only a government-approved federation can be elevated to Full Membership.
4. Await the formal inauguration of Nigeria’s Flag Football Federation before engaging in any membership upgrade or recognition process.
Nigeria is at a critical moment in the development of flag football. The sport has momentum, talent, and global relevance—but it also requires order, unity, and respect for national law to thrive.
IFAF’s leadership at this juncture is vital. By reinforcing governance boundaries and supporting the NSC-led unification process, IFAF will not only protect its own constitutional principles but also help ensure that Nigeria emerges with a federation that is credible, inclusive, and globally respected.
We trust that IFAF will act decisively in the interest of the sport, its athletes, and the integrity of international federation governance.
Respectfully,
Concerned Stakeholders in Nigerian Flag Football
December 2025
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