Gusau Reaffirms NFF’s Commitment To Improve Refereeing In Nigeria

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON), pledged full support on Wednesday for measures by the new Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) executive to clean up refereeing standards in the country.

Speaking during a condolence visit by the new team to the NFF Secretariat in Abuja—following the death of the NFF Refereeing Unit Head and NRA President, Hon. Sani Zubair—Gusau urged the executives to adopt a firm stance on issues like age limits, computer literacy, and academic qualifications.

“I am among those who believe no serious referee recruitment should accept anyone over a certain age. We should even consider recruiting from junior secondary school level. Recruiting people over 14 would waste time for both them and the system. How would they progress to Grade 1, let alone FIFA level?

“There is also the need for computer literacy. Referees now file lengthy reports—how can the computer-illiterate cope? The NFF will provide support, but the executive must take this to the referees’ Congress and pass it as a resolution.”

Gusau, who also leads WAFU B, promised to train at least 10 Nigerian referees in Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology by year’s end. He paid tribute to the late Hon. Zubair, noting his meritorious service to refereeing and Nigerian football with integrity and dignity.

Earlier, NFF General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi (MON) challenged the new executives to tackle recurring poor officiating in the Nigerian league: “We have referees capable of performing at the highest level, even the FIFA World Cup, but they let themselves be influenced, harming their careers.”
NRA Acting President Sir Kelechi Mejuobi assured the council would intensify efforts to sanitise refereeing, with stiff sanctions for recalcitrance and unethical conduct.

Others present included former NRA President Alhaji Ahmed Maude; NRA Vice-Presidents Eng. Emmanuel Imiere and Alhaji Aminu Umar Fagge; Chairman of Chairmen Alhaji Aminu Mammaga; Deputy Secretary General Col. N. C. Achikasim; FCT Referees Council officials Abraham Zakowi and Victor Ijeremen; and zonal coordinators Nasiru Ibrahim and Tasiu Adamu.