Nigeria continues to shine in global American football.

Nigeria has made a strong impression on global American football, with five Nigerian athletes selected for the National Football League’s (NFL) International Player Pathway (IPP) Programme Class of 2026. The announcement, released on Monday, revealed a total of 13 athletes from 10 nations chosen to participate in the prestigious development programme.

The IPP programme, established in 2017, identifies elite international talent and provides opportunities to train, improve skills, and earn a spot on an NFL roster. Since inception, 70 international players have signed with NFL teams, with 22 currently on active rosters. Nigeria has already contributed stars such as CJ Okoye and Haggai Ndubuisi to the league.

The Nigerian athletes shortlisted for 2026 are Collins Arogunjo, Uar Bernard, Michael Daramola, Chibuike Madu, and Anjola Oketola. They join eight other athletes from countries including Australia, Germany, Japan, Kenya, Algeria, and the UK.

“We’re thrilled to welcome a new group of talented international athletes to the 2026 IPP program. This programme is a key component of the growth of our game globally, providing a pathway for these elite athletes,” said NFL Director of International Football Development Patrick Long.

Starting in January 2026, the athletes will participate in a 10-week intensive training programme at X3 Performance and Physical Therapy in Fort Myers, Florida. The programme combines on-field drills with classroom instruction and culminates in a showcase for NFL scouts, offering the chance to be signed as free agents or drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Each NFL club can add one international player to its roster during the offseason, potentially occupying a 17th practice squad spot. With five Nigerians among this year’s select few, the country’s growing footprint in professional American football continues, inspiring future generations to reach the NFL.

The remaining 2026 IPP class includes Kaia Clarkin (Australia/New Zealand), Kaylan Faumui (Australia/Samoa), Jarrod Gray (Australia/New Zealand), Felix Lepper (Germany), Kansei Matsuzawa (Japan), Laekin Vakalahi (Australia/New Zealand), and Seydou Traore (Algeria/Ivory Coast/UK), rounding out a diverse group of 13 athletes from 10 nations.