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NFRA Announces Leadership Transition and Strategic Reforms Following Late President’s Passing
The Nigeria Football Referees Association (NFRA) has announced a leadership transition and a series of reforms following the death of its National President, Honourable Sani Zubairu (FIFA RTD).
In a communique released after an emergency joint meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and State Executive Committees on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, the association formally informed members of Zubairu’s passing, describing it as a profound loss to the refereeing community in Nigeria.
In accordance with the NFRA Statute, Deputy President Honourable Kelechi Mejuobi has assumed office as Acting President and will complete the tenure of the late leader.
In his acceptance speech, Mejuobi expressed gratitude to members for their confidence and pledged to lead with transparency, diligence, and inclusiveness. He emphasized his commitment to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to advance the association’s goals.
A major highlight of the meeting was the reaffirmation of the “Rediscover NFRA Agenda,” a reform initiative launched under the late Zubairu. The Acting President vowed to continue efforts to modernize and reposition the association for greater relevance in Nigerian football.
To ensure continuity, all appointments made by the late president were retained, including zonal coordinators, Alhaji Ibrahim Zailani as Special Adviser, and various ad-hoc committees such as the Constitution Review Committee.
The association also resolved to reactivate its standing committees—covering grading, ethics, finance, and publications—with a mandate to improve efficiency and accountability.
To strengthen its financial base, the NFRA announced plans to establish a Marketing and Sponsorship Committee aimed at exploring partnerships and alternative revenue streams beyond membership dues.
The meeting further approved the adoption of modern technology, including the development of an official website to facilitate digital registration, examinations, and enhanced global visibility.
Addressing performance concerns, the NFRA noted that Nigerian referees have not officiated in major international tournaments such as the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and top FIFA/CAF competitions since 2006. The association pledged to strengthen grading and assessment processes to reverse this trend.
On welfare, members were urged to prioritize their health amid rising mortality in the refereeing community. The Welfare Committee has been tasked with developing support initiatives for members and their families.
The NFRA reiterated its commitment to integrity in officiating and pledged continued collaboration with domestic league bodies to enhance professionalism and referees’ welfare.
In a bid to honour past leaders, the association approved several memorial initiatives, including the establishment of the “Sani Zubairu Cup” and the Otunba Tade Azeez Referee of the Year Award, alongside new annual awards recognizing excellence among referees.
The Acting President assured members of an open-door policy grounded in accountability and unity, while reaffirming NFRA’s partnership with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to advance football development.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment by members to uphold professionalism, unity, and service, working collectively to strengthen refereeing standards in Nigeria.
