Chris Imumolen awards ₦40m in scholarships at national flag football finals

Prof. Chris Imumolen, a former Nigerian presidential candidate, has reaffirmed his commitment to youth development by awarding ₦40 million in scholarships to the champions of the National Secondary School Flag Football Competition. The Lagos State male and female teams each received ₦20 million for their exceptional performances in the finals held at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, on Thursday, 16 January 2025.

The Lagos teams outshone their Akwa Ibom counterparts to claim victory in both categories. The female final was a closely contested affair, with Lagos edging Akwa Ibom 14–12, while the male final saw Lagos triumph decisively with a 22–12 win, reclaiming the title from the former champions.

In earlier rounds, Akwa Ibom’s female team secured their final spot after defeating FCT, while Lagos overcame Team Kwara. In the male category, Akwa Ibom beat Oyo State, and Lagos defeated Cross River in their respective semi-final matches.

The event drew an array of dignitaries, including Cross River State Deputy Governor Peter Odey, who presented the ₦40 million scholarships on behalf of Prof. Imumolen. The President of the Nigerian American Football Association (NAFA), Babajide Akeredolu, also attended and announced additional prizes. The Lagos teams received ₦1 million each from NAFA, while the Akwa Ibom runners-up in both categories were awarded ₦750,000 each. The third-placed teams, Cross River (male) and FCT (female), received ₦300,000 apiece.

The flag football competition was part of the Season 3 Akweti Bowl II American Football Tournament, an initiative designed to promote the sport in Nigeria. Mr. Akeredolu emphasised NAFA’s dedication to nurturing young talent and expanding opportunities through sports.

Prof. Imumolen’s