President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, has outlined bold measures undertaken by his administration to improve the country’s domestic league, with a particular focus on referee development.
Speaking on the federation’s achievements so far on the league, Gusau said, “We tried to come up with a policy to ensure we improve our domestic league. It took us time to address barriers that previously hindered proper organization.”
One of the key reforms has been addressing long-standing grievances among match officials, including delayed payments and inadequate training. Gusau emphasized the crucial role referees play in ensuring the league’s credibility and fairness, stating, “No matter how good your teams are, if the referees are not prepared to do the right thing, you end up frustrated.”
To address this, the NFF has introduced training programs and brought in fresh talent, with 12 referees under the age of 20 now officiating in the Premier League. Gusau praised their performance, noting that no complaints have been received about the young referees, adding, “We must encourage our young people because that’s the only way to solve the issues Nigerians are complaining about.”
The NFF is also determined to improve Nigeria’s representation at international tournaments. Gusau expressed disappointment that only one Nigerian referee made the list for the upcoming CHAN attributing it to a lack of preparation. However, he is optimistic that the introduction of talented young referees into the league will elevate Nigeria’s presence in global football officiating in the coming years.
