The President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON), and FIFA Instructors have advised participants to put in the work following the conclusion of the FIFA course programmes in Abuja, www.aclsports.com reports.
The two-week FIFA Member Associations Course for physical and technical instructors, and Young Talents came to a close in Abuja on Thursday. The physical and technical instructors’ course was held between 9th – 13th June, while the Young Talents programme lasted between Sunday, 15th – Thursday, 19th June 2025.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the event, the President of NFF, who also doubles as President of WAFU B, told the young talents to endeavour to put all they have learnt during the course into practice.
“I am happy that now, we have a total of 86 young talents in our refereeing pool,” Gusau said.
“This deeply gladdens my heart. Last year, we had 40 people undertake this course, and this year, we have 46. Let me reveal to you that 10 of those young talents from last year have been elevated to the NPFL, and none of them was found wanting throughout the season.
“Their record of performance gives great hope to yourselves, and also shows that the NFF is right in our commitment to the young talents. However, in order to keep improving, I charge you to always find ways to fraternize, collaborate in all aspects, and bond together to jointly and severally enhance your capacities.”
On his part, FIFA Technical Instructor, Ali Mohamed Ahmed, believes that the emerging group of arbiters in Nigeria can reach unprecedented heights globally.
“I am very satisfied with the group that we worked with over the past one week – the young talents. Their level of assimilation is very high and I see them going places in the work of refereeing. Please always have integrity at the back of your mind in whatever you do.
“We know Nigeria is everywhere, qualifying for all major tournaments and winning trophies and putting up podium performances here and there. But it will also be good to have Nigerian referees not only in the AFCON but also at the FIFA World Cup. Having worked with these young ones for the past one week, I can tell you with assurance that the future of Nigerian refereeing is in very good hands,” Ahmed concluded.
Apart from the NFF President and the FIFA Instructors, Nigerian instructors Felicia Okwugba, Peter Edibe, Cecilia Ugbuji, Emmanuel Imiere, Stella Emoji and Promise Uwaeme were also at the closing ceremony.
There were also President of the NRA, Hon. Sani Zubairu; Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Madam Faith Irabor; deputy chairman Rafiu Umar Gusau; members of the committee, Kabiyesi James Odeniran, Calistus Chukwudi Chukwujekwu, Dr Bello Mohammed, Abraham Zakowi, Waziri Abba Gawe and secretary, Mohammed Ameenu; NFF’s Director of Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire and; Chairman of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Isah Ladan Bosso.
