In a major step toward professionalizing refereeing in Nigeria, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) successfully organized the 2024 FIFA Member Associations’ Technical and Physical Instructors Course at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
The intensive week-long program brought together 40 elite technical and physical instructors from across the country. Under the guidance of FIFA-certified experts and respected Nigerian officials, participants received in-depth training through theoretical and practical sessions designed to enhance officiating standards in both domestic and international matches.
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Zubairu and Irabor Applaud NFF Leadership
President of the Nigeria Referees Association, Hon. Sani Zubairu, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the NFF leadership, acknowledging their role in the program’s success.
“Without the NFF’s robust support, we couldn’t have achieved this milestone. I urge all participants to take what they’ve learned and let their impact be felt across the zones—both in technical and physical aspects,” Zubairu said.
Similarly, Faith Irabor, Chairperson of the NFF Referees Committee, emphasized that the initiative is directly aligned with NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau’s (MON) broader vision.
“This course reflects the President’s commitment to overhauling refereeing in Nigeria. You can already see the results in how well our referees performed in the just-concluded NPFL season,” Irabor stated.
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International and Local Expertise Combine
The course was led by FIFA Fitness Instructor Boubaker Hanachi (Tunisia) and FIFA Technical Instructor Ali Mohamed Ahmed (Somalia), with support from experienced Nigerian instructors such as Felicia Okwugba, Peter Edibe, Cecilia Ogwuche, Emmanuel Imiere, Stella Emoji, and IT/Video Instructor Promise Uwaeme.
Their collaboration ensured a dynamic training environment, fusing global best practices with local insights.
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The Next Phase: Young Talents Programme
The commitment to excellence doesn’t end with elite instructors. The second segment of the initiative, the FIFA Young Talents Programme, kicks off immediately after and will involve 40 carefully selected young referees. These rising stars represent the future of Nigerian officiating, and the NFF’s focus on youth underscores a long-term plan for sustained quality in match officiating.
Participants in the Young Talents Programme include promising names like Mansur Mahmud Ngaski, Dominion Chisom Kalu, Esther Joseph, Stephanie Tse Henbafan, Umar Musa Anukpo, and many more from across Nigeria.
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The Road Ahead
This double-salvo initiative—one that combines technical excellence with future-focused investment—sends a clear message: Nigerian refereeing is undergoing a transformation. With the NFF’s continued backing and FIFA’s strategic support, the foundation is being laid for a new generation of referees who are confident, well-trained, and globally competitive.
