The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is set to honor 30 referees with FIFA badges, officially granting them the authority to officiate international matches in 2025. The prestigious ceremony will take place on Thursday, with NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau presiding over the event alongside key officials, including Faith Irabor (NFF Referees Committee Chairperson), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (NFF General Secretary), and Alhaji Sani Zubairu (Head of NFF Refereeing Unit).

The list comprises 11 referees, 11 assistant referees, 4 futsal referees, and 4 beach soccer referees. A total of 22 male and 8 female officials will receive their badges, with three women among the referees and five among the assistant referees. The futsal and beach soccer categories remain exclusively male.

Among the newly recognized referees are Emmanuel Omada (assistant referee), John Tope Ojeleye (futsal referee), and Noah Adejoh (beach soccer referee). Meanwhile, seasoned officials like Samuel Pwadutakam and Ndubuisi Ukah, who have held FIFA status since 2014, will continue their international journey. Others, including Dung Davou Musa (since 2015), Salisu Basheer, Tejiri Digbori, and Olawale Fawole (since 2016), as well as Hannah Elaigwu, Joseph Ogabor, and Abdulmajid Usman (since 2017), will also be recognized for their long-standing contributions to officiating.

With this distinguished honor, the NFF reaffirms its commitment to developing top-tier referees capable of representing Nigeria on the global stage.