NFL Holds First Talent Camp in Nigeria

The NFL has concluded its first talent identification camp in Nigeria, as the league ramps up its search for prospective players in Africa following similar forays into Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.

It was a three-day NFL combine-style camp in Lagos which gave athletes from 10 African countries the opportunity to showcase their skills as they compete for invitations to programs that could see them make NFL rosters.

Osi Umenyiora is a 2 time Super Bowl champion and the lead for NFL Africa.

"I think there are over 90 players right now currently in the NFL of Nigerian descent, there is over a 100 players of African decent currently in the NFL and Nigeria is the most populous African country with immense talent and we need to give the people here as many opportunities as possible, a lot of people have connections to Nigeria in particular, whether they are in Nigeria or outside of Nigeria and so this is country that we are really focused on as far as the NFL is concerned that we’re gonna continue to come here and do things and give people opportunities," he said.

The league currently has more than 130 players of African descent - either born in Africa or first generation born in the U.S. - and Umenyiora said Nigeria could be the focal point for its recruitment efforts in Africa going forward.

Umenyiora was born in London and lived in Nigeria as a child before moving to Alabama as a teenager and seeing his NFL dreams come true.

For Nigerians, soccer or football as it is widely known is more than just a sport for the people, it’s a way of life and a binding factor for everyone.

Umenyiora said the idea for NFL Africa has been on for over 20 years now.

He hopes with the awareness being created now, Nigerians can begin to raise their own teams to tap into this global opportunity, just like they have raised several local teams for soccer.