Nigeria Launches First Home‑Grown World Rugby Educators

Abuja, 13 September 2026 – The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) has confirmed that Nigeria now boasts its first locally based World Rugby educators. The announcement came at the close of a three‑day technical development programme held in the capital, a milestone that officials say will change the way rugby is taught across the nation.

The programme, organised by NRFF, gathered about 80 participants from all over the country. They included coaches, match officials, first‑aid volunteers and safeguarding officers. Over the three days the group attended intensive workshops on coaching techniques, match officiating standards, emergency medical response and player protection policies. The training was led by World Rugby‑certified instructor Wuraola Hussain and veteran referee Olatubosun Johnson, both now recognised as local World Rugby educators.

Robert Bwari, World Rugby’s East and Southern Africa Game Growth Manager, praised the achievement. “I am happy about the level Nigeria has reached in the past years. Now Nigeria has World Rugby educators who can train coaches and referees locally,” he said. His remarks underscored the strategic importance of reducing the country’s reliance on foreign trainers and building a self‑sustaining technical structure.

NRFF President Ademola Aré echoed the sentiment, urging the newly qualified educators to take what they have learned back to their home states. “Go back and impact your communities because rugby needs you,” he urged in a closing address. Aré highlighted that the newly created pool of educators will enable each state association to run regular coaching clinics and referee courses without having to import expertise.

The impact of the programme is expected to be far‑reaching. With local educators now able to certify coaches and officials, the pathway for talent development becomes shorter and more affordable. Grass‑roots clubs in Lagos, Kano, Enugu and other regions can look forward to regular, high‑quality training sessions that meet World Rugby standards. This should also boost the sport’s visibility, attract sponsorship and encourage more youngsters to take up the game.

In addition to the core modules, participants received practical drills, video analysis sessions and a handbook on safeguarding young athletes. The NRFF plans to roll out follow‑up workshops in each geopolitical zone later this year, using the newly trained educators as the lead facilitators. The federation also intends to track the progress of each educator through a digital dashboard, ensuring consistent quality and accountability.

Overall, the creation of home‑grown World Rugby educators marks a turning point for Nigerian rugby. It signals a maturing sporting ecosystem, ready to nurture talent from the schoolyard to the international arena. As the first batch of educators disperses across the country, the sport’s growth trajectory looks promising, with more coaches, referees and safe playing environments on the horizon.