Enugu, Ekiti, Oyo, Gombe, Kaduna Join Rugby Rising Initiative

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso 

Enugu, Ekiti, Oyo, Gombe and Kaduna states have joined the Rugby Rising initiative, a grassroots development programme aimed at expanding female participation in sports and empowering young girls through rugby across Nigeria.

The initiative is a collaborative project involving World Rugby, Rugby Africa and the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), designed to strengthen women’s rugby at the community level while promoting inclusion, teamwork and confidence among girls.

Rugby Rising officially began in Nigeria in November 2025 with a Train-the-Trainer coaching workshop in Abuja, where selected coaches from different parts of the country received certification and technical skills to establish and manage rugby programmes within their states.

Speaking on the progress of the project, Wuraola Hussaini, who was appointed by the NRFF to oversee the programme nationwide, described the response from participating states as encouraging, noting that interest has exceeded initial expectations.

“Even in areas where we anticipated challenges, the response has been phenomenal,” Hussaini said. “Rugby is providing girls, particularly in rural communities, with an avenue to express their energy, build confidence and realise their potential.”

She revealed that Rugby Rising targets 3,000 girls nationwide and has already expanded to about 20 states, including Abuja, Lagos, Delta, Kano, Bauchi and Plateau, with the newly added states further strengthening the programme’s national reach.

According to organisers, the latest expansion underscores growing acceptance of rugby as a tool for youth development and gender inclusion, with each participating state expected to adapt the programme to its local cultural and social environment.

Beyond competitive sport, the Rugby Rising initiative aims to use rugby as a vehicle for personal development, leadership and social empowerment, reinforcing the role of grassroots sports in shaping positive outcomes for young girls across Nigeria.