By Victor Kanayo
Relief came the way of Black Stallions and Nigeria rugby fans, as the World Rugby Council reinstated the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) as a full member Union of World Rugby.
Nigeria’s reinstatement is with immediate effect, following a correspondence by the World Rugby Council dated November 11, 2022, and addressed to the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation President, Dr Ademola Are.
The World Rugby Council had banned the NRFF in 2021, over the dissolution of the board of the Federation by the Federal Government.
The new development contained in a letter titled: ‘World Rugby Membership Status – Nigeria Rugby Football Federation’ was copied to Khaled Babbou – President Rugby Africa, Coralie Van Den Berg – Regional Partnership Manager, Africa and Colum Lavery – World Rugby Head of Governance.
The World Rugby Council at its interim meeting held on November 10, 2022, agreed to reinstate the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation as a full member Union of World Rugby with immediate effect.
The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation is required to submit an update on activities and progress to the World Rugby Council interim meeting 2024 demonstrating that the Union continues to meet the World Rugby full membership criteria.
The report, from the World Rugby Council, said it shall be required by August 1, 2024.
