The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) recently paid a visit to Rugby School Nigeria as part of its efforts to foster strategic partnerships aimed at developing the sport at grassroots and institutional levels.
NRFF General Manager, Azeez Ladipo, led the visit, engaging with the school’s leadership to explore potential areas of collaboration in promoting rugby within the school and beyond.
In a statement posted on the school’s official LinkedIn page, the institution expressed delight over the visit:
“We were delighted to welcome Azeez Ladipo, General Manager of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, to Rugby School Nigeria today. Our Principal, Dr. Adam England, had a productive discussion with him about the future of rugby in Nigeria and how we can work together to remove barriers to entry for both men and women.”
Dr. England emphasized the natural alignment between Nigerian values and the sport of rugby:
“Nigerians are ideally suited to the game of rugby. Its core values—teamwork, resilience, and respect—are already deeply embedded in Nigerian culture. We’re excited to promote the sport at every level, from schools to the workplace.”
He also noted that rugby would be integrated into the school’s broader sports program, which includes football, volleyball, cricket, hockey, netball, swimming, and basketball.
In response, Azeez Ladipo expressed heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Adam England, Dr. Joy Isa, and the entire Rugby School Nigeria team for their warm hospitality. He stated:
“On behalf of the NRFF Board, I congratulated Dr. England on the successful establishment of Rugby School Lagos. I also acknowledged the school’s proud heritage, tracing back to Rugby School UK—the very birthplace of the sport.”
He emphasized the significance of the school’s presence in Nigeria:
“NRFF recognizes the immense potential of Rugby School Nigeria to influence youth rugby development nationwide. It’s truly exciting to see such an iconic rugby institution establish roots here—this is a major milestone for the sport locally.”
Reflecting on the discussions held, he added:
“It was a real pleasure sharing our vision for rugby’s growth in Nigeria. I’m genuinely excited about the journey ahead and the vital role your institution will play in shaping the future of the game.”
The visit underscores NRFF’s commitment to expanding rugby’s reach and nurturing talent across Nigeria’s educational landscape.
