Sanusi: FIFA Training Keeps Nigerian Referees Aligned with Global Standards
As Three-in-One FIFA Programme Ends in Abuja
The General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi MON, has emphasized the importance of the 2026 FIFA Member Association Course for elite referees, describing it as vital to ensuring Nigerian match officials remain in step with international standards.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday at the conclusion of the two-week programme, which ran from June 7 to 19, Sanusi noted that the initiative covered three key areas: young talent development, beach soccer officiating, and elite referees, including those active in the Nigeria Premier League and FIFA-listed matches.
He explained that FIFA deployed representatives to Nigeria to brief referees on the latest amendments to the Laws of the Game, currently being applied at the ongoing FIFA World Cup finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
‘The importance of this training is that every year FIFA sends their representatives to come and update us on the amendments to the Laws of the Game. There are new amendments which are being used now at the FIFA World Cup and they want us to put these into operation from 1st July 2026,’ Sanusi said.
Charging participants to maximize the knowledge gained, the NFF General Secretary added: ‘I have instructed the referees to do everything possible to put into practice what they have learnt during the training sessions so that Nigerian referees will continue to get better and gradually reclaim their pride of place at international level.’
The Abuja programme, which brought together referees from across the country, ended on a high note, with participants expressing optimism about applying the new standards in domestic and international competitions.
