The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Referees Committee has released the schedule for the 2025 Preseason Programs for referees in the Nigeria National League (NNL), Nationwide League One (NLO), and the Women’s League categories.
According to a circular signed by Nasiru Ibrahim, for the Head of Referees Development Unit, the preseason programs will hold across the Southern and Northern zones of the country, with separate dates for assessors and active referee.
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For the Southern zone, assessors are to arrive on October 19, 2025, for registration, attend a seminar on October 20, and depart on October 21.
Active referees from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Lagos, and Ondo States (Group A) will arrive on October 21 for medicals and fitness tests scheduled for October 22, while their seminar will take place on October 23–24, followed by departure on October 25.
Group B referees from Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Enugu, Ekiti, Ogun, Rivers, and Kwara States will undergo medicals on October 25, fitness tests on October 26, and seminars on October 27–28, before departing on October 29.
The Southern zone venue is the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, while all eligible female referees from the South will participate with Group A.
In the Northern zone, activities will take place in Zaria, Kaduna State. Assessors are to report on October 26, with a seminar on October 27.
Group A referees from Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, and Zamfara will have medicals on October 28, fitness tests on October 29, and seminars on October 30–31, departing afterward.
Group B referees from Bauchi, Benue, FCT, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, and Sokoto are expected for medicals on November 1, fitness tests on November 2, seminars on November 3–4, and departure on November 5.
Female referees from the North will join Group A for the preseason exercises.
