Sports Friends Africa officially opened its Nigerian office on February 23, 2007.

The opening ceremony, attended by members of ECWA (Evangelical Church West Africa), COCIN (Church of Christ in Nigeria) and other denominational ministries, took place at the former business department in the ECWA headquarters.

On hand to dedicate the new office were the Sports Friends staff, Chris Lemanski with SIM USA, Kyle Abts with Food for the Hungry USA, Tijani Abacha with COCIN, and John Kato with ECWA. Special visitors from SIM Nigeria, Peter Burke (Finance) and Scott Cunningham (ACTEA) also attended the ceremony.

Scott Cunningham led the time of prayer alongside Mr. Bitrus Bewarang, former Nigerian national football coach and current Plateau United coach. Mirroring the logo of two clasped hands, the two dedicated the staff, office, and ministry in the glory of God.

Sports Friends, a program of SIM International, is a ministry with the mission of empowering churches and church planters to use the universal language of sports. It exists to partner with the local church to reach out to youth through sports. It began in Ethiopia in 2001, and Nigeria is the second official field. Its relevant and effective evangelism and discipleship strategy has brought many youth to Christ.