NFF To Badge 30 FIFA Referees Today

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will decorate a total of 30 referees with the badge of the world football governing body, FIFA, on Thursday morning, thereby conferring upon them the authority to officiate as international arbiters in 2025.

The decoration will be performed by the NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, alongside the Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Mrs Faith Irabor, General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi, and the Head of the NFF Refereeing Unit, Alhaji Sani Zubairu.

The breakdown includes 11 referees, 11 assistant referees, four futsal referees, and four beach soccer referees. In total, there are 22 male and eight female arbiters, with three of the 11 referees being female, while five are assistant referees. All futsal and beach soccer referees are male.

Only Emmanuel Omada (assistant referee), John Tope Ojeleye (futsal referee), and Noah Adejoh (beach soccer referee) are new to the FIFA category. Samuel Pwadutakam (assistant referee) and Ndubuisi Ukah (futsal referee) are the longest-serving, having been FIFA referees since 2014.

Futsal referee Dung Davou Musa has been an international official since 2015, while referee Salisu Basheer, assistant referee Tejiri Digbori, and beach soccer referee General Olawale Fawole have been on the international circuit since 2016.

Referees Hannah Elaigwu, Joseph Ogabor, and assistant referee Abdulmajid Usman have been internationals since 2017.

List of the Referees

Referees: Abubakar Abdullahi, Kasimu Abiola Abdulsalam, Yemisi Akintoye, Salisu Basheer, Patrick John Egba, Hannah Elaigwu, Ndidi Madu, Grema Mohammed Mustapha, Abubakar Nurudeen, Joseph Odey Ogabor, Abigael Alaba Olufunmilayo.

Assistant Referees: Iyadunni Abibatu Stockl, Faith Agbons, Tijjani Ahmad Mustapha, Tejiri Digbori, Hope Ogenekewe Igho, Akpan Mfon Friday, Muhamud Yakubu Muhammad, Emmanuel Omada, Samuel Pwadutakam, Beauty Kabeda Terah, Abdulmajeed Olaide Usman