From AFCON To World Cup: The Long Exile Of Nigerian Match Officials
By TAYO TAIWO (T. T.) OLUWOLE
FOR the 19th consecutive year, Nigeria had no referee or assistant referee at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a statistic that has become both glaring and troubling for Africa’s most populous football nation.
At AFCON 2025, described by many as one of the most spectacular editions in history, 73 match officials—28 referees, 31 assistants and 14 VAR officials—were selected. Nigeria, despite its football pedigree, was absent.
With no Nigerian referee invited to the CAF preparatory course ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hopes of representation at the global showpiece appear slim. The absence has reignited debate about what many describe as a systemic crisis in Nigerian refereeing.
Competence and Credibility Questions
Prince Harrison Jalla, former president of the Nigerian players’ union, attributes the problem to structural decay.
According to him, low competence, poor grading systems, integrity concerns and corruption have collectively damaged Nigeria’s reputation in officiating circles.
“Nigerian referees are not simply good enough. The good ones are often shut out by the system because they don’t do the bidding of those in charge,” he said, describing the referees committee as deeply compromised.
Jalla argued that merit is often sidelined, making it difficult for capable referees to rise through the ranks. The result, he said, is a 19-year drought at AFCON and zero representation at the FIFA World Cup since its inception.
The pattern is consistent. Nigeria was excluded from CAF’s list of referees at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and again in Qatar 2022, where all selected African centre referees had prior AFCON and World Cup experience.
Integrity Scandals and Lost Opportunities
FIFA-badged referee Ferdinand Udoh believes integrity issues have further eroded confidence in Nigerian officials.
He cited instances where referees allegedly linked to scandals were still retained in key positions, despite FIFA directives recommending otherwise. Such decisions, he said, weaken Nigeria’s credibility before CAF and FIFA.
Udoh also lamented poor administrative support for promising referees. He recounted cases of young officials missing international courses due to lack of guidance or demands for bribes to process travel documents.
“They are quick to sanction referees for mistakes but unwilling to invest in their development,” he said.
He stressed that FIFA allocates annual funds for referee development but questioned whether those funds are properly utilised.
Technical Gaps and VAR Deficiency
Beyond integrity concerns, stakeholders point to technical shortcomings. Nigerian referees are said to lag behind their North and Southern African counterparts in tactical awareness, physical fitness and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) exposure.
In the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL), referees have often been criticised for inconsistency and perceived home bias—sometimes attributed to fear of hostile crowds.
Former CAF Referees Committee President Suleiman Waberi noted that while Nigerian referees are talented, they must improve technically and rebuild their reputation to compete for continental appointments.
Politics and Diminished Influence
Football politics also plays a role. Analysts argue that Nigeria’s declining influence within CAF and FIFA structures has weakened its leverage in officiating matters.
In the past, figures like Dr. Amos Adamu wielded significant influence in global football administration. Today, stakeholders say Nigeria lacks comparable representation in key decision-making bodies.
Without strong voices in CAF and FIFA committees, observers believe Nigerian referees struggle to gain visibility and support during selection processes.
Hope for a Rebuild
Despite the bleak outlook, Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau has expressed optimism about ongoing reforms aimed at restoring credibility and international presence.
Experts insist that recovery will require a holistic overhaul: transparent grading systems, strict adherence to merit, improved physical and technical training, full VAR certification and proper utilisation of development funds.
Until those reforms take root, Nigeria’s absence from major tournaments may continue—an uncomfortable contradiction for a nation that prides itself on football excellence.
