Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, has publicly backed Nigerian referees, emphasizing their potential to enhance their performances and alter the prevailing narrative of incompetence. His comments come following an event in Abuja where 30 referees were awarded FIFA badges, reflecting a positive step towards recognizing the capabilities of Nigerian officiating. Ibrahim Gusau, President of the Federation, underscored the importance of integrity in officiating, encouraging the newly decorated referees to live up to the high standards expected of them.

The trend of awarding FIFA badges to Nigerian referees indicates an increase in international recognition for their officiating standards, with this recent event following another session last year where 30 officials were similarly honored. Among this group are four futsal referees, four beach soccer referees, along with 11 assistant and 11 central referees. This stratification highlights the diverse areas in which Nigerian referees can officiate, offering them more opportunities to engage at various levels of the sport.

Despite the positive recognition, concerns persist regarding the absence of Nigerian referees in significant CAF competitions, which has fueled skepticism about their competencies. However, Sanusi remains optimistic, asserting that these issues do not reflect the capabilities of all referees in Nigeria and that there is a concerted effort to foster development among the officiating community. The push for improvement aims not only to enhance the referees' reputations but also to boost the overall standard of football in Nigeria, potentially influencing future international opportunities for both the coaches and players alike.