NRFF President, Are, Elected 1st Vice President West African Rugby Federations

By Amaechi Agbo

In a historic election held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), Dr. Ademola Are, has been elected as the 1st Vice President of the Union of West African Rugby Federations.

This landmark gathering brought together rugby union presidents from across West Africa, including Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Niger Republic, and Senegal. The meeting marked a significant step toward advancing sub-regional sports diplomacy, fostering international cooperation, expanding competitions, and driving the growth of rugby in West Africa.

The election results saw the President of Côte d’Ivoire Rugby,Lucas Gnogbo Kore emerge as the Union’s President, while Dr. Ademola Are secured the position of 1st Vice President. Other key appointments included Burkina Faso as 2nd Vice President, Mali as 3rd Vice President, Niger Republic as Secretary-General, Benin as Treasurer, and Ghana as the Athletes’ Representative.

Speaking on his election via phone, Dr. Ademola expressed enthusiasm about the future of rugby in the region.

“It’s time to get to work. We are excited about the efforts and support from leaders like Rugby Africa President Herbert Mensah to ensure rugby thrives across the continent. The West African region has a lot of catching up to do, especially when we look at the progress in Southern, Eastern,  and Northern Africa. This newly formed executive board is the first step toward galvanizing the growth of the game in our region. I have implicit trust in the Union President to lead us forward, and we are fully committed to supporting initiatives that will bring rugby to its rightful place in West Africa,” he said.

Dr. Are also highlighted the broader impact of his new role, stating, “This opportunity to serve at the West African level will open doors for young aspiring Nigerians—coaches, instructors, referees, first aiders, and many others—to benefit from the opportunities that will arise through my emergence as the 1st Vice President of the Union.”

The delegation to Côte d’Ivoire included the President, Dr. Ademola Are, the General Manager, Azeez Lawal, and the Chief Operating Officer, Hon. Tunde Delu. Together, they represented Nigeria at this pivotal gathering, showcasing the nation’s commitment to the growth and development of rugby in West Africa.

This milestone marks the beginning of a new era for rugby in West Africa, with a united front aimed at driving development, fostering talent, and elevating the sport to new heights.