By Abigail Philip David
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will award FIFA badges to 30 referees today, granting them the authority to officiate in international matches in 2025.
The ceremony will be led by NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, alongside key figures including 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.
Among the 30 officials are 11 referees, 11 assistant referees, four futsal referees, and four beach soccer referees. Of the total, 22 are male and 8 female, with three of the referees being women and five assistant referees. All futsal and beach soccer officials are male.
Notably, only Emmanuel Omada (assistant referee), John Tope Ojeleye (futsal referee), and Noah Adejoh (beach soccer referee) are newcomers to the FIFA category. Long-serving officials include Samuel Pwadutakam (assistant referee) and Ndubuisi Ukah (futsal referee), who have 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 officiating internationally since 2016. Referees Hannah Elaigwu, Joseph Ogabor, and assistant referee Abdulmajid Usman have been part of the international circuit since 2017.
List of FIFA-Badged 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
