The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) has announced an ambitious lineup of activities for the 2025 calendar year, featuring a mix of local and international tournaments, training programs, and developmental initiatives aimed at growing the sport across the nation.
The NRFF kicked off the year with the launch of the Rugby Rising Play Nigeria initiative across 15 states on 10 February, marking a significant step in grassroots rugby development.
The South East zone will host the National 15s League season from 28-30 March in Abia State, setting the stage for competitive regional rugby.
Following suit is the World Anti-Doping Agency seminar, which the NRFF will organise for national teams on 6-7 March in preparation for international competitions.
The Federation will honour the International Women’s Day celebrations on 8 March with events across the North, East, West, and South regions, highlighting the growing role of women in rugby.
A training course by local World Rugby educators will be held from 22-25 May, with the certified educators conducting Level 1 training courses for medical personnel, coaches, match officials, and strength & conditioning experts. Dates for additional sessions in September are yet to be determined.
The NRFF will hold its General Assembly in April, bringing together stakeholders to discuss the federation’s progress and future plans.
Meanwhile, Ogun State will host the Rugby Rising Festival alongside the Hon. Tunde Delu Rugby Super 4, featuring four invitational teams on 5 April.
On 12 April, the winners of the zonal leagues will compete in the NRFF National League Finals, also known as the Super Cup, in Lagos State.
Young talents will take center stage during the National Open 7s Tournament for U18 boys and girls, scheduled for 26-27 April, while the beach rugby enthusiasts can look forward to the Turbo Crest Beach Rugby event in April, with the exact date to be revealed in due time.
Lagos will host a National 7s Tournament for men and women, alongside a coaches’ clinic led by renowned Coach Steve Lewis, on 10-11 May, with a similar event to follow in Kano on 17-18 May.
The men’s national team will undergo intensive training at a 7s camp in Lagos from 3-17 June, in preparation for international competitions before participating in the Africa Cup 7s in Mauritius from 18-23.
The Lilleker Tournament 15s will be held in Zaria in June, and the National 15s League will continue across the North, South West, South East, and South South zones from June to October.
Nigeria’s U12 boys’ national team will participate in the Marie Koré International Tournament in Cote D’Ivoire from 14-21 July.
Asaba will host the National Youth Games Rugby 7s for U15 boys and girls in September as the winners of all leagues will converge in the North region in November for the NRFF National League Finals.
Nigeria’s men’s and women’s 7s teams will compete in the Safari Sevens Tournament in Nairobi, Kenya, from 10-12 October.
The Get Into Rugby Schools Festival 2.0 will feature a National Schools 7s Tournament in November, promoting rugby among young students. Lagos State will host the West Africa Rugby Series, featuring teams from Nigeria, Ghana, and Cote D’Ivoire, from 3-9 November.
The NRFF will conclude the year with its Annual General Meeting on 4 December, reviewing the year’s achievements and setting goals for 2026.
