Five Nigerians make 13-man shortlist for NFL 2026 programme

Nigeria makes its mark on global American football, with five Nigerian athletes named to the National Football League’s International Player Pathway Programme Class of 2026.

The announcement, released on Monday, sees a total of 13 athletes from 10 nations selected to participate in the prestigious development programme.

The IPP program, established in 2017, aims to identify elite international talent and provide them with opportunities to train, improve their skills, and earn a spot on an NFL roster.

Past participants have included athletes from diverse sports backgrounds such as rugby, basketball, Gaelic football, and track and field.

Since its inception, 70 international players have signed with NFL teams, with 22 currently on active rosters. Notably, Nigeria has already produced NFL talents, including CJ Okoye and Haggai Ndubuisi.

Nigerian athletes shortlisted

The Nigerian athletes named for the 2026 program are Collins Arogunjo, Uar Bernard, Michael Daramola, Chibuike Madu, and Anjola Oketola, joining 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.

“The IPP program is a key component of the growth of our game globally, providing a pathway for these elite athletes, a number of whom have gone on to achieve tremendous success in the NFL and beyond.

“We wish the Class of 2026 the very best of luck as they get to work next month and look forward to following their progress in the new year,” said NFL Director of International Football Development Patrick Long.

Starting in January 2026, the athletes will undergo a 10-week intensive training program at X3 Performance and Physical Therapy in Fort Myers, Florida, combining on-field drills with classroom instruction.

They will then have the chance to showcase their skills to NFL scouts, with opportunities to be signed as free agents or drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, the release noted.

NFL’s 32 clubs

Each of the NFL’s 32 clubs is allowed one roster exemption for a qualifying international player during the offseason, with the potential for these athletes to occupy a 17th practice squad spot.

The program’s design ensures that international players have a clear pathway to compete at the highest level, while contributing to the NFL’s broader mission of global football development.

With five Nigerians among the select few this year, the country’s growing footprint in professional American football is evident, continuing a legacy of international talent breaking into the NFL and inspiring the next generation of players, PUNCH Online reports.

Meanwhile, the rest of the 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/United Kingdom), rounding out the 13 athletes representing 10 nations across the globe.