The Nigeria American Football Association (NAFA) launched SHINE on Thursday. This program, named Gridiron Gems, aims to support over 1,000 adolescent girls in five locations across Nigeria through sports, mentorship, digital and financial literacy, leadership development, and pathways to education and jobs.
The program was officially introduced at The Law Hub in Ibadan. Many stakeholders from the education sector, development partners, schools, and sports organizations attended the event.
SHINE will focus on girls aged 15 to 19 in Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Imo, and the Federal Capital Territory. It aims to help these girls transition from secondary school to further education, skills training, and employment.
NAFA Chief Executive Officer Babajide Akeredolu spoke at the launch. He said the program was created to tackle the challenges girls face when moving from secondary school to the next stage of their lives.
Akeredolu explained that many girls find it hard to keep moving forward during this transition. The education system, vocational training, and job market often do not work together well to help them.
He mentioned that NAFA's six years of experience in sport-for-development showed the need for structured support and clear paths to opportunities for young people. "Our women won gold at the inaugural African Flag Football Championship in 2025, and girls who first came to us as mentees are now mentoring others," he said.
These achievements, according to Akeredolu, highlight the need to extend the benefits of sports beyond just competition. The goal is to create chances for girls to pursue further education and meaningful jobs.
He added that NAFA would track SHINE’s progress based on agreed indicators with its partners. They will share both successes and areas that need improvement.
Akeredolu thanked Agence Française de Développement, the International Olympic Committee through Olympism365, Laureus Sport for Good, and Comic Relief for their support of the program through the Sport for Education and Sustainable Livelihoods in Africa initiative.
Earlier, Nancy Damhindi, the Gridiron Gems Initiative Coordinator at NAFA, said the program would build on the association's experience in using sports to promote personal growth and social inclusion.
Damhindi shared that NAFA's programs have reached over 450,000 people in 19 states since 2020. The Nigeria Secondary School Flag Football League has also engaged more than 9,000 students in 278 schools across 18 states.
She added that Gridiron Gems, launched in April 2025 with Browns Nigeria, has reached over 2,000 girls and women through flag football, mentorship, leadership training, and life skills education.
According to her, SHINE was created to provide a structured and lasting support system for girls at an important stage in their lives. She noted that about one in four young people in Africa, around 72 million, are not in education, jobs, or training, highlighting the need for targeted support to help them.
Damhindi explained that the program will focus on five key areas: flag football, mentorship, digital and financial literacy, education and job pathways, and leadership development. Participants will follow a pathway of Play, Learn, Lead, Connect, and Progress.
The aim is for each girl to gain practical skills, boost their confidence, build mentoring relationships, gain leadership experience, and have a clear next step toward education or employment.
The initiative will also monitor participation and retention, skills acquisition, engagement with mentors, leadership growth, and movement into education and jobs. Damhindi said NAFA's experience would enhance SHINE’s implementation and thanked the Oyo State Ministry of Education, school principals, and teachers for their support.
In a goodwill message, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola, the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, represented by Mrs. Aderonke Ogunsina, praised the initiative. He said it goes beyond being just a sports program and offers a future for girls.
Olayiwola noted that flag football, a non-contact, inclusive sport recognized by the Olympics, could be a valuable part of the state’s school system. "What started as a demonstration has become a movement in our schools," he said.
He described the theme, "Gridiron Gems Shine" as fitting with Governor Seyi Makinde’s vision to discover talents and provide opportunities for young people to excel. "Every child on this field today is a gem, and Oyo State is providing the platform for them to shine," he said.
He added that education goes beyond classroom learning. It includes physical fitness, discipline, teamwork, strategic thinking, and leadership, all of which flag football can help develop.
Maureen Ojong, a manager at the International Olympic Committee, also spoke about the importance of sports for young people. She expressed happiness with NAFA’s work and confidence that this initiative will significantly impact the development of adolescent girls.
The program will include learning and instilling Olympic values to enhance education and engagement for the participants.
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