Nigeria national rugby union team

The Nigeria national rugby union team represent Nigeria in men's international rugby union. Nigeria have thus far not qualified for a Rugby World Cup, but have competed in qualifying tournaments. Nigeria played their first international against Zimbabwe on 1 August 1987, losing by 111-12 in Nairobi. Their greatest success has been in the 2013 Africa Cup, where they beat Mauritius 63-3 in group 1C.

Nigeria tried to qualify for the first time for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, but lost to Senegal (6-48) and Cameroon (8-18), and were eliminated. They also missed the presence at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, after losing to Cameroon (6-26), in the pre-qualifier.

Previous squads
Nigeria are currently in the Africa Cup (Division 2) and will compete to gain promotion into the Africa Cup (Performance & First Division) in 2024.

Nigeria Squad for the 2012 Africa Cup

 * Michael Adeniya (Westcombe Park, England)
 * David Akinluyi (Old Olavians, England)
 * Emmanuel Akinluyi (Cambridge University, England)
 * Emmanuel Ayewe (Racing RFC, Lagos, Nigeria)
 * Jace Hair (Basketball Legend, Moss Bluff Louisiana)
 * Eseoghene Enajerow (Warri RFC, Warri, Nigeria)
 * Udochukwu Eze (Police RFC, Nigeria)
 * Nsa Harrison (Staines RFC, England)
 * Nuhu Ibrahim (Barewa RFC, Kano, Nigeria)
 * Adedoyin Layade (Sedgley Park, England)
 * Tiwaloluwa Obisesan (GRavesend RFC, England)
 * Shola Odele (Kaduna RFC, Kaduna, Nigeria)
 * Felix Ogbole (Kaduna RFC, Kaduna, Nigeria)
 * Temitope Okenla (Gravesend RFC, England)
 * Craig Olugbode (Gateshead Thunder RL, England)
 * Chukwuma Osazuwa (Gravesend RFC, England)
 * Ali Shelleng (London Nigerian, England)
 * Yemi Ibidunni (Old Dartfordians, England)
 * Ivan Stevenson
 * Francis Ugwu (Manchester Medics, England)
 * Inam Jay Udo-Udoma (Blackheath and Ruislip, England)
 * Ejike Uzoigbe (Worthing, England)
 * Obi Wilson (Barewa RFC, Kano, Nigeria) 1984.09.24
 * Samson Yahayah (Police RFC)

Head Coach: Steven Lewis (New York Blues, USA), Manager: Mark Dean (Samurai International RFC), Physio: Emma Mark (Esher RFC, England)

Nigeria Squad for the 2013 Africa Cup

 * Adam Aigbokhae (Gravesend RFC, England)
 * David Akinluyi (Old Olavians, England)
 * Emmanuel Akinluyi (Cambridge University, England)
 * John Kura (Racing Club, Lagos, Nigeria)
 * Olawale Doherty (Richmond FC, England)
 * Usani Ewah (Dallas Harlequins, USA)
 * Abdulasmad Abdullahi (Nigeria)
 * Olayemi Lawal (London Nigerian RFC, England)
 * Nuhu Ibrahim (Barewa RFC, Kano, Nigeria)
 * Adedoyin Layade (Sedgley Park, England)
 * Tiwaloluwa Obisesan (Canterbury RFC, England)
 * Ayo Salau (Aston University, England)
 * Omotohunola Odulaja (Loughborough University, England)
 * Temitope Okenla (Gravesend RFC, England)
 * Olisa Ufodiama (London Nigerian RFC, England)
 * Chukwuma Osazuwa (Gravesend RFC, England)
 * Moyo Osinibi (Old Alleynian RFC, England)
 * Moshope Osinibi (Old Alleynian RFC, England)
 * Tan Mbonu (Enfield Ignatians RFC, England)
 * Francis Ugwu (Old Midwhitgiftian RFC, England)
 * Inam Jay Udo-Udoma (Barking, England)
 * Obi Wilson (Barewa RFC, Kano, Nigeria)
 * Gbade Adewola (Cardiff University, Wales)
 * Samson Yahayah (Police RFC, Nigeria)

Head Coach: Gavin Hogg (Bury St Edmunds RFC, England), Manager: Mark Dean (Samurai International RFC), Physio: Emma Mark (Esher RFC, England)

Nigeria Squad for the 2014 Africa Cup 1C in Gaborone, Botswana

 * Azeez Ladipo (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Bassey Sunday (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Samuel Olatunde Joseph (Royal Stallions RFC, Ilorin)
 * Musa Ibrahim Suaibu (Kaduna RFC, Nigeria)
 * Ogbole Felix Gabriel (Kaduna RFC, Nigeria)
 * Alaeto Obinna Festus (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Solomon Friday (Sabongeri RFC, Nigeria)
 * Sani Isaac (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Olanrewaju Azeez Abiodun (Nigeria Police RFC, Nigeria)
 * Yakubu Abubakar (Sabongeri RFC, Nigeria)
 * Godwin Emmanuel Chibundu (Delta RFC, Nigeria)
 * Ayinla Hafis Adedamola (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Zaria Isa A (DRC PHOENIX, Gronegen, Holland)
 * Bakare Ramon Ishola (Nigeria Police RFC, Nigeria)
 * Peter Okere Ambrose (Jos RFC, Nigeria)
 * Samson Yahaya Didam (Nigeria Police RFC, Nigeria)
 * Oyeyemi Yusuf Olatunji (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Dinobi Chiedozie Nzubechukwuka (Cobham Rugby Club, UK)
 * Ogar Christian Innocent (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Enajeroh Eseoghene (Warri RFC, Nigeria)
 * Olawale Oladipo Michael (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Oyebola Sulyman Olawale (Nigeria Police RFC, Nigeria)

Manager: Dele Coker, Assistant Coaches: Richard Raphael (Kaduna RFC), Ofoha Joseph (Cowrie RFC)

Nigeria Squad for the 2015 Africa Cup 1C in Lusaka, Zambia
Manager: Fabian Juries, Team Doctor/Physio: Bukola Bojuwoye
 * Azeez Ladipo (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Bassey Sunday (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Emmanuel Ayewe (Racing RFC, Nigeria)
 * Emmanuel Bamidele Samuel (Plateau Tigers RFC, Nigeria)
 * Francis Akeju (Plateau Tigers RFC, Nigeria)
 * Emmanuel Godwin (Delta RFC, Nigeria)
 * Sodiq Oduola (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Sani Isaac (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Olanrewaju Azeez Abiodun (Nigeria Police RFC, Nigeria)
 * Adebayo Odumosu-Jones (Lagos RFC, Nigeria)
 * Godwin Emmanuel Chibundu (Delta RFC, Nigeria)
 * Ayinla Hafis Adedamola (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Leslie Ikenna Ume (Scarborough RFC, UK)
 * Nuhu Ibrahim Samaila (Barewa RFC, Kano)
 * Obi Izuchukwu Wilson (Barewa RFC, Kano)
 * Samson Yahaya Didam (Nigeria Police RFC, Nigeria)
 * Sammuel Ekpo (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Chijioke Thomas Emmanuel (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Ogar Christian Innocent (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Ugwu Francis Michael (Nigeria Exiles RFC, UK)
 * Peter Okere Ambrose (Plateau Tigers RFC, Nigeria)
 * Halilu Sani (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Jatto Onoru-Oyiza Jude (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Adeniran Gbenga Hammed (Cosar RFC, Nigeria)

Nigeria Squad for the 2016 Africa Cup 1C in Casablanca, Morocco

 * Azeez Ladipo (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Francis Akeju (Plateau Tigers RFC, Nigeria)
 * Jatto Onoru Oyiza (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * John oladele (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Francis Akeju (Plateau Tigers RFC, Nigeria)
 * Alfred Oche (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Sodiq Oduola (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Sani Isaac (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Isa Hassan (Kaduna RFC, Nigeria)
 * Okafor ThankgGod (Sharks RFC, South Africa)
 * Iheme Chidera (Plateau Tigers RFC, Nigeria)
 * Ayinla Hafis Adedamola (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Obinna Alaeto (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Oladipo Olawale (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Obi Izuchukwu Wilson (Barewa RFC, Kano)
 * Aniedi George (Nigeria Police RFC, Nigeria)
 * Victor Afam (Nigeria Police RFC, Nigeria)
 * Peter Ambrose Okere (Plateau Tigers RFC, Nigeria)
 * Ogar Christian Innocent (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * John Kura (Racing RFC, UK)
 * Yannick Mukoro (EkoII RFC, Nigeria)
 * Samaila Agwam (Kaduna RFC, Nigeria)
 * Monday omoragieva (Racing RFC, Nigeria)

Manager: Fabian Juries, Assistant Coach: Joseph Ofoha/Richard Raphael, Team Doctor/Physio: Bukola Bojuwoye

Nigeria Squad for the 2018 West Africa Regional Test Match versus Niger Republic in Niamey, Niger

 * Azeez Ladipo (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria) Captain
 * Godwin Dina Otoro Jrn (Vice Captain), Italy
 * Jatto Onoru Oyiza (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Sunday Bassey (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Ibrahim Suraj (Barewa RFC, Nigeria)
 * John Kurah (Racing RFC, Nigeria)
 * Onome Richard (Barewa RFC, Nigeria)
 * Felix Adebayo (Nigeria Police RFC, Nigeria)
 * Samuel Ekpo (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Isaac Sani (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Hassan Mohammed (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Alfred Oche (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Joshua Etim (Barewa RFC, Nigeria)
 * Christian Ogar (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Nuhu Ibrahim (Barewa RFC, Kano)
 * Sodiq Oduola (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Adesina Abdul (Racing RFC, Nigeria)
 * Tunde Adewale (Nigeria Police RFC, Nigeria)
 * Remilekun Adebambo (Racing RFC, Nigeria)
 * Monday Alex (Racing RFC, UK)
 * Promise Anosike (Abia buffalos RFC, Nigeria)
 * Ezekile Tom (Gosar RFC, Nigeria)
 * Monday omoragieva (Racing RFC, Nigeria)
 * Adebayo Tobi (Nigeria Police RFC, Nigeria)

Manager: Bronson Weir, Assistant Coach: Joseph Ofoha/Simon Joseph Team Doctor/Physio: Bukola Bojuwoye

Nigeria Squad for the 2023 World Cup Elimination Match versus Madagascar in Antananarivo, Madagascar - Dec 1 2019

 * Godwin Dina Otoro Jrn (Vice Captain), Italy - Captain
 * Azeez Ladipo (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria) Vice Captain
 * Sunday Bassey (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Ibrahim Suraj (Barewa RFC, Nigeria)
 * John Kurah (Racing RFC, Nigeria)
 * Onome Richard (Barewa RFC, Nigeria)
 * Ricky Nwagbara (South Africa)
 * Samuel Ekpo (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Olatunde Sulaimon (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Jude Abrakson (Barewa RFC, Nigeria)
 * Emmanuel Chukwudi (Abia Buffalos, Nigeria)
 * Joshua Etim (Barewa RFC, Nigeria)
 * Christian Ogar (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Nuhu Ibrahim (Barewa RFC, Kano)
 * Jeremiah Peters (Kings College Old Boys, Nigeria)
 * Monday Alex (Racing RFC, UK)
 * Daniel John (Cowrie RFC, Nigeria)
 * Ezekile Tom (Gosar RFC, Nigeria)
 * Monday omoragieva (Racing RFC, Nigeria)
 * Gabriel Etim (Nigeria Police RFC, Nigeria)

Manager: Bronson Weir, Team Doctor/Physio: Bukola Bojuwoye

World Rugby Ranking
Nigeria were ranked 69th in the world by World Rugby as of 29 November 2021. https://www.world.rugby/tournaments/rankings/mru

World Cup record

 * 1987 (New Zealand) - No Qualifying Tournament Held
 * 1991 (England) - Did not enter
 * 2003 (Australia) - Did not enter
 * 2007 (France) - Did not enter
 * 2011 (New Zealand) - Did not qualify
 * 2015 (England) - Did not qualify
 * 2019 (Japan) - Did not qualify
 * 2023 (France) -

Nigerian players representing other nations
There have been a large number of Nigerian born or eligible players who have, for a variety of reasons, opted to play for another nation.

These include:


 * Niyi Adeolokun - Ireland
 * Ugo Monye - England
 * Ayoola Erinle - England
 * Topsy Ojo - England
 * Mark Odejobi - England 7s
 * Daniel Norton - England 7s
 * Anthony Watson (rugby union) - England
 * Marcus Watson (rugby union) - England 7s
 * Steve Ojomoh - England
 * Victor Ubogu - England
 * Nanyak Dala - Canada
 * Luther Obi - South Africa U20s
 * Uche Odouza - England 7s
 * Adedayo Adebayo - England
 * Chris Oti - England
 * Elijah Joseph - England
 * Alex Macmillan - Scotland
 * Andrew Harriman - England
 * Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi - England U20s
 * Paolo Odogwu -England
 * Beno Obano - England
 * Pierre Goualin - London SE -England under 16s squad
 * Maro Itoje - England
 * Nick Isiekwe - England
 * Joel Kpoku - England U20
 * Andy Christie - England U20
 * Rotimi Segun - England U20
 * Elliott Obatoyimno - England U20
 * Josh Ibuanokpe - England U20
 * Nathan Earle - England
 * Gabriel Ibitoye - England U20
 * Gabriel Oghre - England U20
 * Max Williams (rugby union) - Wales U20