The Nigeria Football Federation has drawn a firm line in the sand. In a sweeping decision that cuts across the Nigeria Premier Football League, the Nigeria National League and the Nigeria Women Football League, the NFF Refereeing Development Committee has handed out indefinite suspensions to several referees and assistant referees whose performances were deemed damaging to the integrity of the game.
For years, complaints about officiating have echoed from stadium terraces to television studios and social media spaces. Coaches have ranted, players have protested and fans have lost faith in match officials. This latest intervention by the NFF appears to be a deliberate attempt to restore confidence, enforce accountability and remind referees that the Laws of the Game remain non-negotiable.
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Signed by Mohammed Ameenu on behalf of the Chairman of the Refereeing Development Committee, the report provides rare and detailed insight into how key match decisions were reviewed, questioned and ultimately sanctioned.
NPFL Matchday 9: Barau FC vs Kano Pillars
The committee came down hardest on the officiating crew led by referee Anthony Eze from the Federal Capital Territory, alongside assistant referees Peter Ogwu from Bauchi and Aduba Ngbede, also from the FCT.
According to the technical review, the match was riddled with poor judgement calls that went beyond normal human error. A penalty was awarded without any supporting basis in the Laws of the Game or the established guidelines for penalty incidents. Even more troubling was the failure to award a clear penalty when the situation genuinely demanded it.
The committee concluded that these collective decisions significantly influenced the outcome of the match and brought Nigerian refereeing into disrepute. The trio has been handed an indefinite suspension from the league and all football activities nationwide.
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NNL Matchday 4: Rovers FC vs Sporting Lagos
Assistant referee Ekpouko Ubong from Akwa Ibom found himself at the centre of a costly offside call. A well-timed through pass released an attacker who clearly had defenders between himself and the goal at the moment the ball was played.
Despite meeting all the conditions for an onside position, the assistant referee flagged for offside, denying Sporting Lagos a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The committee ruled that the decision showed a poor understanding of offside positioning and punishment. The verdict was an indefinite suspension from all matches.
NWFL Matchday 2: Remo Stars Ladies vs Abia Angels
In women’s football, the spotlight fell on an offside decision that denied a legitimate goal. Following a free kick and a goalkeeper parry, the rebound fell to an attacker who finished immediately.
Video analysis showed that no attacking player was in an offside position at any point during the move. The assistant referee’s decision was therefore judged incorrect and match altering. The official involved was handed an indefinite suspension from all football activities.
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NNL Matchday 4: Mighty Jets vs City FC
Referee Nurah Abdullahi from Zamfara was sanctioned for failing in one of the most basic duties of a referee: protecting the goalkeeper.
An attacking player repeatedly jumped into the goalkeeper using his body and elbow, forcing him to the ground before scoring. Despite clear infringements, play was allowed to continue and the goal stood. The committee ruled that the referee ignored dangerous play and unfairly advantaged the attacking team. The result was an indefinite suspension.
NNL Matchday 5: Sporting Supreme vs Bichi FC
Another controversial penalty decision led to sanctions for referee Ahmed M. Usman from Niger State.
Both players were initially engaged in fair physical contact, but the attacker who went down was the one who initiated the challenge. There was no foul, no trip and no illegal contact by the defender. The committee described the penalty award as arbitrary and completely outside the Laws of the Game. The referee was suspended indefinitely.
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NNL Matchday 5: Lobi Stars vs Basira FC
In contrast, the committee also demonstrated balance and fairness by clearing match officials where evidence supported their decisions.
A handball penalty was correctly awarded after the defender made his body unnaturally bigger and moved his arm toward the ball. On a separate set-piece goal, the available footage did not clearly show the scorer’s position at the moment the ball was played. Without clear evidence of offside, the officials were exonerated.
NNL Matchday 5: Kada Warriors vs Mighty Jets
Referee Michael Adepoju from the FCT was suspended after falling for what the committee described as a simulation.
An attacker initiated contact from behind and exaggerated the fall in an attempt to win a penalty. The review confirmed there was no foul and no illegal challenge. Awarding a penalty in such a situation was deemed a serious error, leading to an indefinite suspension.
NWFL Matchday 3: Ekiti Queens vs Edo Queens
Once again, the committee cleared officials where uncertainty existed. An alleged offside goal from a free kick could not be conclusively judged due to poor camera angles. Since offside must be determined at the moment the ball is played, and that moment was not clearly visible, the officials were absolved of wrongdoing.
A Message to Nigerian Football
Beyond the suspensions, this report sends a clear message. Refereeing errors that influence results will no longer be brushed aside. At the same time, officials will be protected when decisions fall within the grey areas of the game and evidence is inconclusive.
For Nigerian football, this marks an important step toward credibility, professionalism and trust. Whether this firm stance will lead to improved officiating across the leagues remains to be seen, but for now, the NFF has shown it is willing to act.
