… As Nigerian referees eye CAF roles

Joel Ajayi 

President of the Nigeria Referees Association and Head of the Referees Unit at the Nigeria Football Federation ,NFF, Subairu Sani, has applauded FIFA and the NFF for organizing the first-ever FIFA-sanctioned physical and technical instructors’ course for Nigerian referees.

He believes the program marks a major step forward in positioning Nigerian referees for future roles in Confederation of African Football ,CAF, matches.

Speaking  in Abuja during the groundbreaking training session at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Sani expressed optimism about the impact of the initiative. The course, held under the 2025 FIFA Member Association ,MA, Development Programme, is designed for instructors and young talent referees and is the first of its kind in Nigeria.

“This programmes is critical for the development of refereeing in Nigeria and football in general. It’s the first time we’re having a course specifically tailored for both physical and technical instructors. These instructors are like coaches; they are being trained so they can, in turn, train referees across the country”, Sani explained.

He emphasized that the course would serve as a foundation for building a sustainable and professional referee development system in Nigeria. “By training the trainers, we are creating a ripple effect that will reach referees at every level. This will enhance their understanding and implementation of the laws of the game and open doors for them on the international stage”.

Sani, a retired FIFA referee himself, acknowledged that Nigerian match officials have yet to fully attain the recognition and appointments they deserve globally. However, he remains hopeful.

“Refereeing is a gradual process it’s not something you jump into and expect immediate results. Just like education, you move from one level to the next. This course is the beginning of that journey for many of our officials”, he said.

He also expressed his gratitude to the leadership of the NFF and FIFA for their support and vision. “This initiative shows that there is a commitment at the highest levels to elevate Nigerian refereeing. With continued training and support, I’m confident that our referees will soon be fixtures at major international tournaments”.

The ongoing training brings together experienced instructors and emerging referee talents and is expected to significantly enhance the technical and physical capabilities of match officials in Nigeria.

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