NFF Hands Out Wave of Indefinite Suspensions to NPFL, NNL & NWFL Referees

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), through its Refereeing Development Committee, has issued a series of indefinite suspensions to a number of referees and assistant referees officiating in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL) and Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) competitions.

The sanctions come amid concerns over poor officiating, controversial decisions and breaches of refereeing standards that, according to the federation, have brought the game into disrepute. The suspensions apply to officials across all three domestic leagues and remain in place until further notice.

Officials who have been suspended were found to have made questionable calls, including decisions that negatively influenced match outcomes and failed to adhere to the Laws of the Game, prompting the NFF to take action to uphold integrity within the league system.

The NFF said the move signals its commitment to protecting the credibility of Nigerian football competitions and ensuring fairness in officiating. The federation has warned that future breaches of refereeing standards will be met with strict disciplinary measures.

Editorial

In football, referees are the custodians of fairness the arbiters whose decisions, rightly or wrongly, shape results, narratives and reputations. When a governing body such as the Nigeria Football Federation chooses to suspend referees indefinitely across its top competitions, it is engaging in more than disciplinary enforcement; it is acknowledging that the bedrock of the sport trust in officiating has been compromised.

The NFF’s decision is not made lightly. Indefinite suspension carries a stigma that extends beyond the individual official to the competitions they oversee. But this step highlights something that league administrators across the world grapple with how to balance accountability with developmental support for match officials. Poor or controversial officiating erodes confidence among clubs, players and fans a contagion that can diminish the very spectacle football promises. Yet a suspension alone is not correction it must be part of a broader programme of mentorship, training and scrutiny.

Historical patterns show that Nigerian football has on multiple occasions taken action against referees whose performances were deemed below standard, including axing officials who made decisions out of alignment with the Laws of the Game. But a wave of indefinite suspensions across NPFL, NNL and NWFL sends a stronger signal that standards are expected, and lapses will not be tolerated. To sustain this, the NFF must invest alongside enforcement fostering not only accountability, but competency, consistency and trust.

Football thrives when stakeholders believe outcomes are determined by effort and skill, not by error or inconsistency. The NFF’s move is a reminder that integrity must be defended not just in rules, but in those entrusted to enforce them. It is now incumbent upon the federation to ensure that this moment becomes a turning point for officiating professionalism in Nigeria.

Did You Know?

1. Indefinite suspensions are not new in Nigeria football: in previous seasons referees have been suspended for questionable calls that affected match results and brought the game into disrepute.
2. Adebayo Qudus, an NNL referee, was previously banned indefinitely after a controversial penalty decision in a match between Gateway FC and Sporting Lagos.
3. The NFF has also suspended officials in the NWFL Championship over controversial decisions, showing that disciplinary action extends across both men’s and women’s leagues.
4. In October 2025, the NFF indefinitely suspended three NPFL referees for poor performance in Matchday 8 games, reinforcing consistency in disciplinary measures.
5. Past NPFL disciplinary actions have included suspending referees involved in questionable penalties during high-profile matches, emphasizing the federation’s efforts to protect competition integrity.