The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has honored 29 referees with FIFA badges, emphasizing the importance of integrity in their roles. During the 2023 FIFA Badging Ceremony held at the Conference Hall of the Goal Project in Abuja, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau urged the referees to uphold the integrity regulations expected of them. Represented by NFF General Secretary Sanusi Mohammed, Gusau highlighted that FIFA referees serve as ambassadors for Nigeria and should consider the country’s image while performing their duties.
Gusau encouraged the referees to demonstrate the exceptional qualities that earned them elite refereeing status. He stated, “They must ensure they do their jobs according to the laid down rules and represent Nigeria well because to whom much is given, much is expected.” He also noted that with increased allowances and prompt payments directly to referees before matches, their morale should be positively impacted. Additionally, the NFF has mandated match commissioners to ensure that all referees are recorded and monitored during matches.
The NFF President further emphasized the necessity for referees to be reminded of their responsibilities before each match, considering Nigeria’s stature in the football world. He expressed a desire for the nation’s teams to excel in continental championships, stating, “The era where our teams will qualify for continental competitions and get eliminated in the first round must be a thing of the past.” Gusau reiterated the expectation for referees to be fair and diligent in their duties.
Tade Azeez, President of the Nigeria Referees Association, described the badging ceremony as an annual tradition that recognizes referees acknowledged by FIFA. He mentioned that the association is committed to serving the interests of its members and that receiving international badges presents new challenges in their refereeing careers. Azeez urged the referees to seize the opportunities presented to them to reach the pinnacle of their international careers before retirement, stating, “We must be good ambassadors at all times and upright in whatever we do.”
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the list of referees who received FIFA badges includes seven FIFA referees, seven FIFA assistant referees, four FIFA women referees, and three FIFA women assistant referees. Additionally, four FIFA beach soccer referees and four FIFA futsal referees were also recognized. Among the new FIFA assistant referees are Muhammed Yakubu and Tijjani Ahmad. The full list of badged referees is as follows:
**FIFA Referees:** Ogabor Joseph, Nurudeen Abubakr, Quadri Adebimpe, Kassim Abdulsalam, Abdullahi Abubakar, Bashir Salihu, Grema Mohammed.
**FIFA Assistant Referees:** Samuel Pwadutakam, Usman Abdulmajeed, Efosa Igudia Celestine, Hope Igho, Tejiri Digbori, Muhammed Yakubu, Tijjani Ahmad.
**FIFA Beach Soccer Referees:** Jelili Ogunmuyiwa, Fawole Olawale, Olayinka Olajide, Rabiu Ahmad.
**FIFA Futsal Referees:** Bello Zuru Alhassan, Musa Dung Davou, Paul Umuago, Uhah Ndubuisi.
**FIFA Women Referees:** Ndidi Patience, Hannah Eliagwu, Olufunmilayo Alaba, Yemisi Akintoye.
**FIFA Women Assistant Referees:** Mfon Friday Akpan, Beauty Kabenda Terah, Abibat Yusuf.
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