The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), through its Refereeing Development Committee, has issued a strong directive to all referees officiating in ongoing national competitions, including the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), and the President Federation Cup.
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In an fresh internal memo dated May 9, 2025, referees were reminded of the critical phase of the leagues and the heightened pressure they may face from teams and agents seeking favorable officiating.
The NFF emphasized the need to uphold the integrity of the game by strictly adhering to the Laws of the Game and maintaining fairness and justice in all officiating duties.
The memo warned that any referee found guilty of bias or misconduct would face severe consequences, including a minimum ten-year ban from football activities.
Furthermore, such cases may be referred to the Department of State Security (DSS) for possible criminal investigation and prosecution, signaling the seriousness with which the NFF is treating integrity violations.
The Federation reiterated that independent monitors from the office of the NFF President would be deployed across match centers to ensure compliance and document any irregularities.
“This is a clear signal that we are committed to cleaning up the game,” stated Mohammed Ameenu, Secretary of the NFF Refereeing Development Committee, who signed the memo.
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