NFF Pledges Support for Refereeing Reforms in Nigeria

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON), on Wednesday pledged the full backing of the federation for any measures the new executive team of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) intends to implement to professionalize and sanitize refereeing in the country.

Gusau made the remarks while receiving the NRA executives on a condolence visit at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja, following the recent passing of the Head of NFF Refereeing Unit and NRA President, Hon. Sani Zubair. He emphasized the need for the new leadership to take firm positions on critical issues such as age limits, computer literacy, and academic qualifications for referees.

“I am one of those who believe that no serious recruitment drive for referees should accept candidates above a certain age. Ideally, recruitment should start at junior secondary school level. Accepting persons older than 14 wastes both their time and the system’s resources. This ensures referees have sufficient time to progress to Grade 1 and, eventually, FIFA level,” Gusau stated.

He added that modern refereeing demands computer literacy, noting, “Referees today are required to file extensive reports. How can someone without computer skills manage this effectively? The NFF is ready to support, but the executive council must first take this to the Congress of referees and pass it as a resolution.”

Gusau, who also serves as President of WAFU B, announced that the NFF aims to train at least 10 Nigerian referees on Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology before the end of the year. He also paid tribute to the late Hon. Zubair, describing his service to Nigerian refereeing and football as marked by integrity and dedication.

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (MON), urged the new NRA executives to adopt strict measures against poor officiating, which occasionally mars the Nigeria Professional Football League. “We have referees capable of performing at the highest levels, even at the FIFA World Cup, but they are sometimes easily influenced, harming their careers,” Sanusi said.

Ag. NRA President, Sir Kelechi Mejuobi, assured that the council would intensify efforts to professionalize refereeing, warning that recalcitrance and unethical behavior would be met with stiff sanctions.

The condolence meeting was also attended by former NRA President Alhaji Ahmed Maude, NRA Vice Presidents Eng. Emmanuel Imiere and Alhaji Aminu Umar Fagge, Chairman of Chairmen Alhaji Aminu Mammaga, Deputy Secretary General Col. N.C. Achikasim, FCT referees council officials Abraham Zakowi and Victor Ijeremen, and zonal coordinators Nasiru Ibrahim and Tasiu Adamu.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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