NPFL chairman Elegbeleye hails Nigerian referees as among the best globally

By Dayo Awoniyi

Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), has declared that Nigerian referees rank among the best in the world, praising their consistency and professionalism as a cornerstone of the league’s growing credibility.

Speaking during an interactive session with journalists, Elegbeleye credited the high standard of officiating in the NPFL as a key driver behind the league’s recent improvements.

“I’ve had the privilege of traveling extensively and witnessing some shocking officiating decisions firsthand,” he said.

“However, such errors are rarely seen in the NPFL. This is why I confidently assert that our referees are among the best globally.”

Elegbeleye, who previously served as Director General of the National Sports Commission, pointed to recent international appointments of Nigerian referees as evidence of their rising status.

He cited officiating duties at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt and a shortlisting for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) as examples of growing recognition.

“This demonstrates clear progress and is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our referees,” he added.

While acknowledging there is still room for growth, Elegbeleye called for continuous support from stakeholders and the media to ensure transparency and accountability in officiating.

“We’re growing, and we count on the media to help us highlight any irregularities and keep the league accountable.”

Elegbeleye’s strong endorsement serves as a morale booster for officials across the country and aligns with broader efforts to elevate Nigerian football standards at both domestic and international levels.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career 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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