The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRRF) has officially released an extensive 2026 calendar designed to overhaul the domestic league structure and fast-track the return of the women’s national team to continental competition.
This ambitious roadmap prioritizes grassroots expansion and high-performance pathways, featuring a National 7s Circuit across Kano, Lagos, Delta, and Edo, alongside a six-zone National 15s League that will reach its climax with national finals in Abuja. To ensure long-term sustainability, the federation is integrating youth development through the Get Into Rugby 2.0 initiative and the National Youth Games, while simultaneously hosting World Rugby-accredited courses for coaches and match officials to improve technical standards nationwide.
A primary objective for the upcoming season is the revitalization of the women’s game, highlighted by a formal bid to host the Africa Cup Women’s 7s Regional Qualifier in Lagos or Ogun. This move is intended to restore Nigeria’s women’s team to the continental rankings and provide a clear trajectory toward the Africa Women’s Cup 7s.
Furthermore, the federation is targeting a spot in the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup Division 1 in Tunisia to test the squad in the 15s format. On the men’s side, international focus remains on the Africa Cup 7s in Mauritius and the West Africa Rugby Series. Summarizing the strategic shift, the federation stated: “Our domestic competitions are stronger, our women’s programme has a clear continental pathway, and our youth initiatives continue to expand. We are building a sustainable rugby ecosystem for Nigeria’s future.”
