Nigeria Leagues
NFF President pledges support for Nigerian Referees’ development
By Saheed Afolabi
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Gusau, has expressed a strong commitment to helping Nigerian referees reach their full potential.
Gusau made this declaration in Abuja during a meeting with FIFA Technical Instructor Felix Tangawarima and FIFA Fitness Instructor Mark Mzengo from Malawi. The FIFA officials had conducted a five-day elite training program for 40 young Nigerian referees, focusing on the fundamental aspects of officiating.
Acknowledging the critical role of referees in the sport, Gusau emphasized that poor officiating has no place in Nigerian football and highlighted his ongoing efforts to discipline erring referees.
“Personally, I find it unacceptable,” Gusau stated in Abuja. “At every opportunity, I tell the referees that we will continue to assist those who deliberately step out of line, to stay away permanently. It is a vocation that requires the highest level of integrity, discipline, dedication, diligence, and moral rectitude.”
He also assured that the NFF would diligently work on the recommendations provided by the FIFA team to empower referees productively.
“We are delighted at the good recommendation you have given our next generation of referees. We will work assiduously to see that they fulfill their potential,” Gusau added.
