The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) has intensified efforts to boost grassroots rugby development with another round of TI Coaching Training scheduled to hold in Abuja from October 23 to 25, 2025.

The three-day program aims to equip young and aspiring coaches with essential skills and technical knowledge needed to advance rugby across the country. Coaches from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory are expected to participate.

To qualify for the program, participants must have completed the World Rugby Ready course — designed to promote best practices and help stakeholders manage the inherent risks of contact sports by implementing proper safety measures.

They are also required to undergo two additional modules:

Concussion Management for the General Public, which ensures players who suffer concussions receive proper care to protect their long-term health, and

Safeguarding Essentials, an introduction to key principles of child and player protection in sports, explaining how to identify, reduce, and respond to safeguarding concerns.

Speaking ahead of the training, World Rugby–certified instructor Wuraola Hussaini said the TI program will provide participants with the opportunity to put theory into practice.

“This training allows coaches to apply what they’ve learned theoretically. It’s part of NRFF’s commitment to instilling proper knowledge and techniques that will strengthen rugby coaching in Nigeria,” she said.

NRFF President, Dr. Ademola Are, commended World Rugby and Rugby Africa for their continued support and emphasized the importance of structured training in building the sport’s foundation.

“Our goal is to ensure that our coaches are well-grounded in globally accepted methods,” Dr. Are stated. “We want coaching in Nigeria to align with international standards and our long-term vision for rugby development. This kind of training is key to achieving that.”

The program reaffirms NRFF’s commitment to professionalizing rugby coaching and nurturing a new generation of technically sound coaches to drive the sport’s growth nationwide.