The roadmap focuses on grassroots growth, youth development, high-performance pathways, and stronger international competitiveness in both the 7s and 15s formats.

Expanded Domestic Competitions

The 2026 season will feature one of the federation’s broadest domestic frameworks in recent years, including:

A National 7s Circuit (Men’s & Women’s) across host states such as Kano, Lagos, Delta, and Edo.

A six-zone National 15s League (North, South West, South East, South South), culminating in national finals in Abuja.

Youth tournaments including Get Into Rugby 2.0 (U13 & U18) and Rugby 7s at the National Youth Games (U15).

Community and school competitions such as the Golden 7s Schools Tournament and National Open 7s (U18).

International exposure through the Africa Cup 7s (Men) in Mauritius and other invitational fixtures.

According to the federation, the structure is designed to increase match exposure, strengthen talent identification, and ensure nationwide participation.

Women’s Rugby Back on the Continental Path

A major highlight of the 2026 agenda is the revitalisation of Nigeria’s Women’s Rugby programme.

The NRFF has submitted a bid to host the Africa Cup Women’s 7s Regional Qualifier in Lagos/Ogun. Hosting the tournament would restore Nigeria’s women’s team to the continental rankings and provide a pathway to the Africa Women’s Cup 7s.

The federation is also exploring participation in the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup Division 1 (15s) in Tunisia — a potential route toward qualification for Africa’s elite women’s rugby competition.

Officials say the dual 7s and 15s strategy is aimed at building a sustainable and competitive women’s programme.

Capacity Building and Governance

The 2026 calendar also includes World Rugby-accredited courses for coaches, medical personnel, match officials, and strength and conditioning professionals, alongside anti-doping education and structured school engagement initiatives.

International Outlook

Nigeria is set to compete in the Africa Cup 7s (Men’s), pursue international test opportunities, and strengthen regional collaboration through the West Africa Rugby Series under Rugby Africa structures.

Describing the season as pivotal, 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.”

The NRFF says the 2026 calendar represents a strategic blueprint for performance growth, women’s empowerment, and Nigeria’s sustained resurgence in African rugby.

Media Contact:
Tolu Oguntimehin
+234 702 647 6846
nigeriarugbymedia@gmail.com

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‎In the Athletics events which took place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Monday 8th & Tuesday 9th December 2025 saw the discovery of talents for future National Youth Games, the up coming Niger Delta Games & the Main National Sports Festival podium for Edo State.
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‎The young but very savvy Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission Hon. Desmond Aladin Enebulele who was physically present to present prizes at the finals of the Athletics events on Tuesday 9th December 2025 was feasibly excited with the talents discovered for Edo State through the EYOTO Sports Academy. He helped present medals to the winners of the boys and girls 100m champions.
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‎The victorious athletes were not only decorated with their medals but also went home with Cash prizes and various gift items, adding an extra layer of excitement and reward to their outstanding performances.
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‎The following ten outstanding discovered athletes were selected and given scholarships namely
‎1. Ayogu Miracle – Nicowa Sec School
‎2. Joy Joshua – The Lords own Inter School
‎3. Anayo Chisom – Oba Akenzua Sec School
‎4. Aigbe Promise – ldia  college
‎5. Esther Anochie – Nicowa sec school
‎6. Favor Stephen – Edokpolor college
‎7. Caleb Moses – The Lords own
‎8. James Jomah – Nicowa sec school
‎9. Divine Okolobuike – BENIN Technical
‎10. Adibeli sabastine – Asoro Grammer School
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‎Meanwhile, the One day Schools Rugby TOURNAMENT which started by 1pm due to the fact that the schools were writing their examinations, saw the first winners when the host Edo Boys High School pipped a well drilled Technical College team in a thrilling finals that went into extra time and got all spectators, children, the organiser, guest and the sponsors on the edge of their seats. Edo Boys eventually won by 10 points to 5 points to lift the giant prestigious floating EYOTO trophy for the first time in extra time.
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‎On the other hand in the Girls category EMOTAN COLLEGE defeated their perennial challenger and neighbours Idia College 10 points to nil to claim the 1st EYOTO Schools Rugby Girl giant trophy.
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‎It was a huge celebration for the Edo Boys High School who benefited from being host and home of Rugby in Edo STATE, as the Principal of the Edo Boys Senior Secondary School Mrs Christy Ebewele who coincidentally is an In-Law to our own legend “Juju Man” Late Brown Ebewele who brought the beautiful game of Rugby to Edo State through “Mr Rugby” Ntiense Williams, and have since made Edo State the new home of Rugby in Nigeria.
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‎Mrs Sabina Chikwere the Executive Director at the Edo State Sports Commission who also represented the Executive Chairman alongside with the EYOTO Sports Academy President Dr Felix Idahosa, Vice President Dr. Festus Idahosa Erese, Secretary Dr Sunny Okundolor, Friday Enoye the Treasurer alongside the Chairman of the Edo State Rugby Association Mr Anthony Chukwuemeka and his Vice Mr Hope Nelson and many other guest helped to present the Medals, Trophies and other gift items to the elated winners.
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‎We will like to sincerely thank the EYOTO Sports Academy for including a team sports – Rugby to their sponsorship. This helps to breed young talents at early age for the State Rugby teams who are already National Champions. We also sincerely thank the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission Hon. Desmond Aladin Enebulele and the entire management team for their full support and encouragement of the Tournament and Rugby in the State.
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‎According the Organiser of the event Obong Ntiense Williams, “This tournament will further assisted Edo State to continue to win at the National Youth Games Rugby events and in extension the Open Championship as well, like the recently completed National Women Sevens Rugby Tournament which Edo State Female Team won in grand style and made history as the only team to have played and won all games without conceding a defeat or any point against!”
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‎INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
‎Favour Sunday of EMOTAN COLLEGE and Happiness John of Imaguero Girls College emerged as the Most Valuable Player, and Highest Try Scorer of the Tournament, whilst OKUNBOR ESOHE GIFT scooped the Best Kicker Award in the Girls category respectively.
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‎Emeka James of Edo Boys High School, Evans AKPETI of USELU Secondary School and Paul OBAKHAYA also won the MVP, Highest Try Scorer and Best Kicker Awards in the Boys category.
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‎Brief On EYOTO Sports Academy
‎The Eyoto Sports Academy, is a renowned non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing young talents in Edo State, and has been a beacon of hope for aspiring athletes, will featured rugby for the first time in the 2025 edition, in addition to its traditional athletics events.
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‎Speaking on the academy’s journey and future plans, President Chief Dr. Felix Idahosa expressed gratitude for the support received from partners and stakeholders, citing the academy’s remarkable achievements over the past five years. “Our greatest joy is seeing young people compete with all their hearts and strengths,” he said.
‎
‎Idahosa emphasized the academy’s commitment to turning raw talents into world-class athletes, adding that the introduction of rugby will provide more opportunities for young athletes to shine. Meanwhile the athletics competition will now cater to both under-15 and open categories, marking a significant expansion in the scope of the championship.
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‎According to the Vice President Dr. Festus Idahosa Erese “The Eyoto Sports Academy has also awarded scholarship packages to 10 outstanding young talents, providing financial and academic support to enable them to focus on their development”.
‎
‎In his words, the Chief Scribe of the academy Dr Sunny Okundolor remarked that “The academy remains committed to redefining sports development in Edo State, inspiring young athletes, and empowering them with the tools needed for success”.
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‎The Treasurer Mr Friday Enoye who is a notable sports philanthropist, reinforced this sentiment by promising that the 2025 and 2026 editions will surpass expectations.
‎
‎Said he, “We remain very keen to sustain the relationship with the Edo State Rugby Association and by extension Coach Ntiense Williams, who through his hard work is helping the EYOTO Sports Academy to sustain the game of Rugby as a relevant sport for the total well- being and physical development of the students in Edo State”.
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‎*Event Details:*
‎
‎- Rugby introduction: 2025
‎- Athletics competition: Under-15 and open categories
‎- Scholarship packages: Awarded to 10 outstanding young talents
‎
‎
‎
‎Eyoto Sports Academy
‎Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium,
‎Benin City, Edo State
‎
‎Issued by
‎
‎Obong Ntiense Williams
‎Head Coach
‎Edo State Rugby Association
‎

The post ‎EDO BOYS HIGH SCHOOL & EMOTAN COLLEGE CROWNED INAUGURAL CHAMPIONS OF THE 1ST EYOTO SCHOOLS RUGBY TOURNAMENT appeared first on Princemediacenter360.

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‎TODAYS RUGBY EVENT
‎Attention will now shift today to the 1st edition of the Rugby event to be played at the Edo Boys High School Adolor the home of Rugby in Edo State from 12noon to 5pm, with lots of prizes up for grab.
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‎Being a one day event, 8 out of the 16 Schools presently involved in the Edo State Rugby Program recently approved by the Edo State Ministry of Education will be slugging it out in the 1st EYOTO Schools Rugby Tournament.
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‎The 8 participating Schools (4 Boys & 4 Girls)  for the 1st edition this year as follows

‎
‎GIRLS
‎1. EMAGWERO Girls College
‎2. OREDO Girls College
‎3. EMOTAN College
‎4. IDIA College
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‎BOYS
‎1. OGBE Secondary Schools
‎2. Edo Boys High School, ADOLOR
‎3. USELU Secondary School
‎4. TECHNICAL COLLEGE
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‎Other side attractions will include the Senior Rugby Players of Edo State slogging it out amongst themselves with the EYOTO Team in a 7’s & 10’s Rugby Matches just before the Finals to add colour to the event and show how the beautiful game of Rugby is played in the two versions. There will also be the Kicking & Passing Challenges will also be competed for.
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‎There will also be a Seminar & Clinic for the Games Master and their Children before the Matches by 10am.
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‎We will also use the occasion to celebrate our NATIONAL Team Players who just returned from the World Rugby League Series in Canada and the Heritage Tournament in Ghana respectively.
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‎Before the entry of EYOTO, we had Ehibam and other Schools tournaments since 2011 which have greatly shaped up the Edo State U 15 Teams that have always won Laurels for the State and are the present defending National Female Champions in both Senior and Junior categories.
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‎Brief On EYOTO SPORTS ACADEMY
‎
‎The Eyoto Sports Academy, a renowned non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing young talents in Edo State, has announced plans to introduce rugby in its upcoming championships this December. The academy, which has been a beacon of hope for aspiring athletes, will feature rugby in 2025, in addition to its traditional athletics events.
‎
‎Speaking on the academy’s journey and future plans, President Chief Dr. Felix Idahosa expressed gratitude for the support received from partners and stakeholders, citing the academy’s remarkable achievements over the past five years. “Our greatest joy is seeing young people compete with all their hearts and strengths,” he said.
‎
‎Idahosa emphasized the academy’s commitment to turning raw talents into world-class athletes, adding that the introduction of rugby will provide more opportunities for young athletes to shine. Meanwhile the athletics competition will now cater to both under-15 and open categories, marking a significant expansion in the scope of the championship.
‎
‎The Vice President, Dr. Festus Idahosa Erese expressed excitement about the future, noting that the introduction of rugby demonstrates the academy’s commitment to diversifying sports and creating more opportunities for young athletes.
‎
‎On his part, the Treasurer of the Academy, Friday Enoye, a notable sports philanthropist, reinforced this sentiment by promising that the 2025 and 2026 editions will surpass expectations.
‎
‎The Eyoto Sports Academy has also awarded scholarship packages to 10 outstanding young talents, providing financial and academic support to enable them to focus on their development.
‎
‎The academy remains committed to redefining sports development in Edo State, inspiring young athletes, and empowering them with the tools needed for success.
‎
‎We remain very keen to sustain the relationship with the Edo State Rugby Association and by extension Coach Ntiense Williams, who through his hard work is helping the EYOTO Sports Academy to sustain the game of Rugby as a relevant sport for the total well- being and physical development of the students in Edo State.
‎
‎Thank you for your continued support and encouragement
‎
‎Issued by
‎
‎Obong Ntiense Williams
‎”Mr Rugby”
‎Head Coach
‎Edo State Rugby Association
‎
‎

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