Time to drive growth of Women’s Football in Northern Nigeria – NAWFA

In a region where cultural norms and limited resources have historically restricted women’s involvement in sports, the Northern Amateur Women Football Association (NAWFA) emerges as a game-changing force dedicated to transforming the landscape of women’s football in Northern Nigeria.

In this exclusive interview with the Lagos Voice with Dadeino Heman, Interim Vice Chairman of NAWFA, revealed the strategies behind the organisation’s formation and ongoing efforts to empower women through football.

Inspiration behind NAWFA’s formation

“The inspiration is the growing rate of women’s football across the globe,” said Heman.

Heman added, “NAWFA was established to promote and develop women’s football in Northern Nigeria and provide opportunities for young girls and women to participate in the sport.”

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With international tournaments like the FIFA Women’s World Cup gaining more attention and Nigerian female footballers making global strides, NAWFA aims to localise this progress by increasing participation, enhancing skills, and creating a supportive ecosystem for female players in the North.

Personal experience and vision

Heman reflects on the long-standing issue of poor documentation in Nigerian sports history.

“In Nigeria, history and data are not documented. Many women who played at national levels were never traced back to where they started,” she said.

Teams like Makwada Queens (Adamawa State), Waidi Queens (Kaduna), YSFON (Kaduna), and Invincible Angels (Benue) served as breeding grounds for talents like Loveth Ayila, Halimat Ayinde, Fransisca Ordega, Anam Imo, and many others.

“These personal experiences with women’s football in Northern Nigeria inspired us to revisit grassroots systems and rebuild support structures that once produced global stars,” Heman added.

NAWFA’s Contribution to Women’s Football in Nigeria

Heman outlined three main pillars through which NAWFA seeks to develop the game: promoting participation, skill development and fostering support, Overcoming challenges in Northern Nigeria, Despite the vision, the path forward is not without hurdles.

“Certain cultural and religious beliefs discourage women from participating in sports. Women’s football teams often struggle with limited access to funding, training facilities, and basic equipment,” Heman noted.

“These are deep-rooted challenges. But we’re determined to change mindsets and secure resources for long-term development,” said Heman.

How NAWFA is Tackling cultural and religious barriers

In a region where culture and religion play defining roles in daily life, NAWFA has crafted proactive strategies: Sensitisation Programs and Role Modeling.

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“Change doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistent messaging and grassroots advocacy, we can shift perceptions,” Heman emphasised.

Building strategic collaborations

NAWFA’s development model is rooted in collaboration. The association is open to partnerships with Local Organisations and NGOs.

“We’re working with youth groups and NGOs that are already doing incredible work on gender and sports development,” said Heman.

Future plans and measuring success

Among the organisation’s most ambitious plans are the NAWFA League and NAWFA Cup, both set to launch within the coming year.

These competitions will provide structured opportunities for teams to compete regularly and showcase emerging talents.

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“We want to build not just players, but communities that believe in their potential,” Heman said.

Women’s football in Nigeria

As women’s football continues to thrive globally, NAWFA is ensuring Northern Nigeria does not get left behind. With a bold vision, grassroots drive, and unwavering commitment, the organisation is already setting a new tone for sports inclusion and female empowerment in the region.

Through education, collaboration, and persistent advocacy, NAWFA is laying the foundation for a future where every girl in the North knows she has a right to dream and play.