In a landmark development for football officiating in Nigeria, the country is hosting its first-ever FIFA-sanctioned Physical and Technical Instructors’ Course for Referees. The program, underway at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, has drawn over 40 young and promising referees from across the nation.

Organized by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in collaboration with FIFA, the course falls under the 2025 FIFA Member Association (MA) Course for Instructors and Young Talent Referees. It aims to elevate the standard of refereeing in Nigeria by developing a new generation of qualified instructors and technical experts.

Declaring the event open, NFF Secretary General Dr. Mohammed Sanusi emphasized the importance of the training, noting its historic nature. “At the end of this programme, learning must have taken place,” he said. “Where learning takes place, there must be a change in attitude and approach.”

Also speaking at the opening, President of the Referees Association and NFF Referees Unit Head, Subairu Sani, hailed the course as a milestone. He encouraged participants to share the knowledge gained with others in their zones to foster widespread growth in officiating standards nationwide.

The course runs from June 9–13 for technical instructors, followed by the Nigeria Young Talent Referees Course from June 13–19, also in Abuja.

This initiative marks a crucial investment in the future of football in Nigeria, aligning with global standards and promoting the sustainable development of refereeing excellence.