Nigeria has become an increasingly important part of the NFL’s international strategy. The league’s international player programme lists a number of Nigerian-born players.
Also, the International Player Pathway continues to identify athletes from the country. In 2026, Nigerian-born defensive tackle Uar Bernard became a particularly notable example when the Philadelphia Eagles selected him in the seventh round of the NFL Draft.
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The players’ personal journeys, family histories and visibility on social media give international fans a reason to follow teams and learn more about the sport. In this blog post, we explore the Nigerian players helping expand the NFL’s global reach, looking at their careers, connections to Nigeria and the wider influence they can have as ambassadors for the sport.
David Onyemata
Born in Lagos, David Onyemata took an unusual route to the NFL. He attended Chrisland Schools in Nigeria before moving to Canada, where he began playing organised football at the University of Manitoba.
The player was first drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2016. After established spells with New Orleans and Atlanta, Onyemata then joined the New York Jets in 2026.
He entered the season as an experienced defensive tackle with more than 150 career appearances and 31 sacks through his first decade in the league.
For Onyemata, growing up playing soccer before discovering football in Canada demonstrates how international pathways can produce NFL talent from unexpected places.
Emmanuel Ogbah
Emmanuel Ogbah is another important Nigerian connection. Born in Lagos, the defensive player has built a lengthy NFL career after being selected by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2016 Draft.
Ogbah returned to the Kansas City Chiefs in August 2026 on a one-year deal after previously helping the franchise win Super Bowl LIV. Across his career, he has accumulated 48 sacks, 116 quarterback hits and more than 330 tackles.
His longevity in the sport demonstrates the level that players with African backgrounds have managed to reach in the NFL.
David Ojabo
David Ojabo was born in Nigeria and raised in Scotland after moving there at seven. The edge rusher developed his athletic career through football and soccer before becoming a standout at Michigan and a second-round selection by Baltimore in 2022.
Ojabo moved to Miami in 2026 after his initial Ravens contract expired. His journey from Nigeria to Scotland, then on to American college football and ultimately the NFL, illustrates how international sporting pathways can cross several countries.
Uar Bernard
Perhaps the most interesting Nigerian story entering the 2026 season is Uar Bernard. He was born in Nigeria and introduced to American football through a regional African talent camp.
What is intriguing is that Bernard had never played organised football before beginning his NFL pathway. The Eagles selected him 251st overall in the 2026 Draft.
Bernard’s story could be particularly influential because it shows young Nigerian athletes that an NFL opportunity does not necessarily require a conventional American football background. He is now part of the same Philadelphia organisation that has successfully developed international talent through players such as Jordan Mailata.
Chukwuma Okorafor
New York Jets offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor was born in Ibadan, Nigeria, before moving to the United States and developing into a major college football prospect at Western Michigan.
He was a third-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018 and has since accumulated extensive NFL experience.
The Jets re-signed Okorafor in 2026, giving him another opportunity to contribute as an experienced offensive lineman. His career demonstrates how Nigerian-born athletes can establish themselves in positions that are central to NFL success but often receive less international attention than quarterbacks and receivers.
Why Nigerian players are important to the NFL’s global growth
Individual players can become powerful cultural bridges. A fan in Lagos who follows Onyemata or Ojabo has a personal reason to watch an NFL game, learn the rules and follow a team.
Social media makes those connections even easier, allowing players' stories and personalities to reach audiences far beyond the United States.
Nigeria also represents a significant opportunity for grassroots growth. The NFL has already held talent identification events in Lagos, highlighting the country’s potential talent pool and its importance to the league’s African strategy.
As the league continues its push to become a truly global sport, Nigerian talent will play an increasingly important role.
There is a wealth of opportunities being explored with coaching programmes and international talent camps helping to create new entry points into the sport. Also, with flag football also gaining momentum ahead of its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028, opportunities for young Nigerian athletes could continue to grow.
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