30 Nigerian Referees Set to Receive FIFA Badges

By Ikemefuna Asika

The Nigeria Football Federation will on Thursday morning decorate a total of 30 referees with the badge of world football-governing body, FIFA, thus conferring on them the authority to perform as international arbiters in the year 2025.

According to the NFF Communications Department, President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, will perform the decoration ceremony alongside the Chairman of NFF Referees Committee, Mrs. Faith Irabor, NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi and the Head of NFF Refereeing Unit, Alhaji Sani Zubairu.

The breakdown shows there are 11 referees, 11 assistant referees, four futsal referees and four beach soccer referees. There are also 22 male and eight female arbiters in all, with three of the 11 referees being female, while five are assistant referees. All the 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 in the FIFA category. Samuel Pwadutakam (assistant referee) and Ndubuisi Ukah (futsal referee) are the oldest, having been FIFA referees since 2014.

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

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

Full List of the Referees include:
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 are 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

The Futsal Referees include the following: Alhassan Bello Zuru, Dung Davou Musa, John Tope Ojeleye, Ndubuisi Ukah

For the Beach Soccer Referees: Noah Adejoh, Olawale Adeolu Fawole, Olayinka Olajide and Ahmad Rabiu.