Nigerian refereeing just got a major boost! On Thursday, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officially decorated 30 of the country’s top referees with FIFA badges, granting them the authority to officiate international matches in 2025.
This prestigious recognition means these referees are now eligible to take charge of FIFA-sanctioned matches across various competitions, further cementing Nigeria’s presence on the global football stage.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Among the 30 honored officials are:
• 11 referees
• 11 assistant referees
• 4 futsal referees
• 4 beach soccer referees
Out of this group, 22 are male and 8 are female. The list includes three female referees and five female assistant referees, showcasing growing opportunities for women in Nigerian refereeing. However, all futsal and beach soccer referees are male.
New Faces & Veterans
While many of these referees have experience at the international level, three are stepping into FIFA’s elite category for the first time:
• Emmanuel Omada (Assistant Referee)
• John Tope Ojeleye (Futsal Referee)
• Noah Adejoh (Beach Soccer Referee)
On the other hand, some referees have been on FIFA’s list for nearly a decade. The longest-serving include:
• Samuel Pwadutakam (Assistant Referee) & Ndubuisi Ukah (Futsal Referee) – FIFA-certified since 2014
• Dung Davou Musa (Futsal Referee) – FIFA-certified since 2015
• Salisu Basheer (Referee), Tejiri Digbori (Assistant Referee) & Olawale Fawole (Beach Soccer Referee) – FIFA-certified since 2016
• Hannah Elaigwu (Referee), Joseph Ogabor (Referee) & Abdulmajid Usman (Assistant Referee) – FIFA-certified since 2017
A Proud Moment for Nigerian Football
The ceremony was overseen by NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, along with key officials including NFF Referees Committee Chairperson Faith Irabor, General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, and Head of NFF Refereeing Unit Alhaji Sani Zubairu.
This achievement is a testament to the growth of refereeing in Nigeria and the continuous efforts to develop world-class officials. With their FIFA badges, these referees will now have the chance to officiate on bigger stages, from continental tournaments to potential World Cup assignments.
A huge congratulations to all the referees—this is a win not just for them, but for Nigerian football as a whole!
