The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that 30 referees will receive their FIFA badges, officially certifying them to officiate at international level in 2025.
The decoration ceremony, scheduled for Thursday morning, will be led by NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, alongside key officials, including Referees Committee Chairperson Mrs Faith Irabor, General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi, and Head of Refereeing Unit Alhaji Sani Zubairu.
A step forward for Nigerian refereeing
The newly recognized officials include 11 central referees, 11 assistant referees, 4 futsal referees, and 4 beach soccer referees.
Among them, 22 are men and 8 are women, with three female central referees and five female assistant referees.
All futsal and beach soccer referees are male.
Only three referees—Emmanuel Omada (assistant referee), John Tope Ojeleye (futsal referee), and Noah Adejoh (beach soccer referee)—are newly promoted to FIFA’s international list.
The rest have been serving at various levels, with Samuel Pwadutakam (assistant referee) and Ndubuisi Ukah (futsal referee) being the longest-serving, having held their FIFA status since 2014.
Others with extensive experience include Dung Davou Musa (futsal) since 2015, as well as Salisu Basheer, Tejiri Digbori (assistant), and General Olawale Fawole (beach soccer), who have been FIFA-certified since 2016.
Additionally, Hannah Elaigwu, Joseph Ogabor, and Abdulmajid Usman (assistant) have been international referees since 2017.
Full list of Nigerian referees awarded FIFA badges for 2025
Central 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
Futsal referees:
- Alhassan Bello Zuru
- Dung Davou Musa
- John Tope Ojeleye
- Ndubuisi Ukah
Beach soccer referees:
- Noah Adejoh
- Olawale Adeolu Fawole
- Olayinka Olajide
- Ahmad Rabiu
Strengthening Nigeria’s presence in international officiating
The inclusion of these referees in FIFA’s officiating ranks marks another significant milestone for Nigerian football.
With the global recognition, these officials will now be eligible to take charge of matches at international competitions, including the CAF Champions League, Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), FIFA tournaments, and continental club competitions.
As Nigerian football continues to develop, the elevation of these referees underscores the country’s growing influence in global officiating.
The NFF’s commitment to referee training and development ensures that Nigerian match officials remain competitive on the world stage.
