World Rugby Educators Arrive Nigeria for Major Coaching and Officiating Development Programme

World Rugby Educators Arrive Nigeria for Major Coaching and Officiating Development Programme

The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) has announced the arrival of World Rugby Educators in Nigeria for a landmark three-day technical development programme scheduled for September 10–12, 2026. The initiative is designed to strengthen the country’s coaching, officiating, and technical structures, marking the final planned World Rugby visit under the NRFF’s current development agenda.

According to the federation, the programme will provide Nigerian coaches, referees, and technical personnel with access to internationally recognised World Rugby courses, assessments, and quality assurance exercises. Training sessions will cover Level 1 and Level 2 Coaching, Level 1 and Level 2 Match Officiating, First Aid in Rugby, Intensive Care in Rugby (ICIR), and Safeguarding Essentials.

Building Local Expertise

The visit will also include quality assurance assessments for Nigerian educators such as Wuraola Hussain and Olatubosun Johnson, while Mohammed Salisu will undergo evaluation to complete his Match Officiating Educator course. In addition, Dr. Fikunola Orafidiya, whose World Rugby Educator licence was recently renewed, will be monitored as he prepares to deliver another Level 2 ICIR course.

The NRFF emphasised that the programme is not only about training but also about building a more qualified workforce capable of sustaining rugby’s growth in Nigeria. Coaches’ associations, referees’ societies, and technical groups have been urged to mobilise their members to take full advantage of the opportunity.

For Nigerian rugby, the arrival of World Rugby Educators represents a significant step towards aligning with global standards. By equipping local coaches and referees with internationally recognised certifications, the NRFF hopes to raise the quality of domestic competitions, improve player safety, and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness on the continental and global stage.

As the three-day programme unfolds in Abuja, the focus will be on creating a stronger foundation for rugby in Nigeria. With World Rugby’s support and the NRFF’s commitment, the initiative is expected to leave a lasting impact, ensuring that Nigerian rugby continues to grow with a workforce trained to international standards.