NFF Referee Committee invites participants for FIFA Listing Exercise

By Mishael Emmanuel with additional agency reports 
 
In a bid to improve the quality of officiating in the country and increase the number of FIFA accredited referees, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), through its Referees Development Committee, has officially invited selected referees for the annual listing and screening exercise.
 
In a statement signed for the Head of the Referees Development Unit, by Nasiru Ibrahim, all existing FIFA-badged referees and assistant referees — male and female — as well as international Beach Soccer and Futsal referees are expected to participate, in preparation for the 2026 FIFA International Referees List.

Notably, five male referees and five male assistant referees currently officiating in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) have also been called up for the crucial exercise, which is scheduled to take place at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, North-Central, Nigeria.

Additionally, five female referees and assistant referees have been invited, signaling the NFF’s commitment to gender inclusion and development of women in officiating at the international level.
 
The statement further noted that arrival date for all participants is September, 30, 2025 with medical tests holding the same day while fitness test will hold on October, 1, 2025 at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

★ INVITED REFEREES – All Categories:

All current FIFA Referees, Assistant Referees, Futsal Referees, and Beach Soccer Referees.

★ MALE – Referees:

1. Muhammad B. Tuta (Adamawa)

2. Madaki Abdulmalik (FCT)

3. Muhammad Zakari (Niger)

4. Chilaka Igwe (Rivers)

5. Ebineme Arewaremi (Delta)

★ MALE – Assistant Referees:

1. Darlington Nwauzoebilon (Abia)

2. Al-Amin Kabiru Yusuf (Bauchi)

3. Ridwan Lawal (Oyo)

4. Ismaila Rasheed (Kwara)

5. Yusuf Abdullahi (Kano)

★ FEMALE – Referees:

1. Oluwatosin Omotoye (Osun)

2. Rasheedat Abdulganiyu (FCT)

3. Semiat Mustapha (Oyo)

4. Dominion Kalu (Enugu)

5. Peace Ogbonnaya (Anambra)

★ FEMALE – Assistant Referees:

1. Scholastica Ikeobi (Anambra)

2. Patience Azi (Plateau)

3. Olive Njoku (Imo)

4. Adeola Oluwole (Lagos)

5. Vivian Osemene (FCT)

This exercise is a crucial part of the process that ensures Nigeria’s referees meet FIFA’s strict standards ahead of international competitions.
 
Selected officials who pass the medical and fitness tests will be recommended for inclusion on the 2026 FIFA International Referees List, empowering them to officiate matches at the highest level globally.

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