Nigeria Leagues
NFF Cracks Down on Officiating Errors, Indefinitely Suspends Referees Across NPFL, NNL and NWFL
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has imposed indefinite suspensions on several referees and assistant referees officiating in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL) and Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) following a comprehensive review of controversial match incidents.
In a directive issued on December 13, 2025, the NFF Refereeing Development Committee said the sanctions were part of decisive measures to curb officiating excesses and safeguard the integrity of domestic competitions.
The most high-profile action came from the NPFL Matchday 9 fixture between Barau FC and Kano Pillars FC, where referee Anthony Eze (FCT) and his assistants, Peter Ogwu (Bayelsa) and Aduba Ngbede (FCT), were found culpable of multiple infractions.
The committee ruled that the officials awarded a penalty outside the provisions of the Laws of the Game, ignored a clear penalty incident at the opposite end, and collectively took decisions that influenced the outcome of the match.
All three officials were consequently suspended indefinitely from all football-related activities.
In the NNL, assistant referee Ekpouko Ubong (Akwa Ibom) was suspended following an incorrect offside decision in the Matchday 4 encounter between Rovers FC and Sporting Lagos FC.
The committee stated that the call denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and had a direct impact on the result of the match.
Referee Nurah Abdullahi (Zamfara) also received an indefinite suspension after failing to protect a goalkeeper during repeated aerial challenges in the Mighty Jets versus City FC fixture, actions the committee said contravened the Laws of the Game and altered the match outcome.
Similarly, referee Ahmed M. Usman (Niger) was sanctioned for awarding what the committee described as an arbitrary penalty during the Sporting Supreme FC versus Bichi FC match on Matchday 5 of the NNL.
Another NNL official, referee Michael Adepoju (FCT), was suspended after awarding a penalty in the Kada Warriors FC versus Mighty Jets FC encounter, despite findings that no foul had been committed and the decision did not meet the criteria for a penalty under the Laws of the Game.
In the NWFL, assistant referee Ernest Cynthia (Ogun) was handed an indefinite suspension after an incorrect offside decision denied a legitimate goal in the Matchday 2 clash between Remo Stars Ladies and Abia Angels, a call the committee said clearly affected the outcome of the match.
However, the committee cleared match officials involved in the NNL Matchday 5 fixture between Lobi Stars FC and Basira FC, as well as the NWFL Matchday 3 match between Ekiti Queens and Edo Queens, citing correct application of the Laws of the Game or inconclusive video evidence respectively.
The Refereeing Development Committee, chaired by Mohammed Ameenu, reaffirmed the NFF’s zero-tolerance stance on officiating decisions capable of bringing the game into disrepute, stressing that officials at all levels will continue to be held accountable to ensure fairness, credibility and confidence in Nigeria’s domestic leagues.
