Aré Seeks Support as Nigeria Targets Uganda Rugby Qualifier

Posted : 13 September 2026

Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) President Ademola Aré says sustained financial support will be crucial to transforming the country’s recent progress in rugby into qualification for major global competitions.

Aré made the call in Abuja on Saturday as Nigeria intensifies preparations for the World Rugby SVNS 3 qualifier scheduled for September 26 and 27 in Uganda.

The NRFF president said Nigeria’s rise to seventh in Africa over the last four to five years demonstrated the potential within the country’s rugby programme and provided a platform for greater international success.

“Rugby Nigeria has been witnessing positive strides in the last four or five years. As we are today, we are number seven in Africa from zero level,” Aré said.

He noted that the sport had also expanded its presence at domestic competitions, including the National Sports Festival, National Intermediate Sports Festival and National Youth Games.

According to Aré, Nigeria now has the quality to compete for a place at the Rugby World Cup, but financial limitations remain a major obstacle to assembling the strongest possible squad.

“We can play in the Rugby World Cup but we will need money. We are bringing in professionals. We have Nigerians playing professionally outside,” he said.

Aré explained that the involvement of Nigerian players based abroad requires substantial resources, as professionals often have to leave their clubs, contracts and salaries to represent the country.

He said some professional players could require at least $5,000 to join the national team, excluding accommodation, feeding, transportation and other competition-related expenses.

With Nigeria’s next major test coming in Uganda, Aré appealed to the National Sports Commission (NSC), corporate organisations and individuals to invest more in the development of rugby.

“Government cannot do it alone. We are always appealing to passionate sports-loving individuals and corporate organisations to come out and support us,” he said.

He stressed that stronger financial backing would enable the federation to attract and retain quality players while providing the national team with the necessary preparation and logistics for international assignments.

Nigeria will join other African nations in Uganda on September 26 and 27 in the battle for qualification for the 2027 SVNS 3 competition.

For Aré, success in Uganda and the country’s longer-term ambition of reaching the Rugby World Cup will depend not only on talent but also on the resources available to support that talent.

Aré Seeks Support as Nigeria Targets Uganda Rugby Qualifier

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