The annual FIFA Member Association courses for technical and physical fitness instructors and young refereeing talents have commenced at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. The training program runs from June 8-19, 2025, with 80 participants taking part.
The program is split into two sessions. The first phase focuses on technical and physical fitness training for 40 instructors from June 8-13. This section aims to bring Nigeria’s technical and physical fitness instructors up to speed with current trends and global best practices in refereeing.
The second phase runs from June 15-19 and targets young talents in refereeing, helping to develop the next generation of Nigerian match officials.
FIFA has sent Technical Instructor Ali Mohamed Ahmed and Fitness Instructor Boubaker Hanachi to oversee the programs. They will work alongside Nigerian instructors including Felicia Okwugba, Peter Edibe, Emmanuel Imiere, Stella Emoji, and IT/Video Instructor Promise Uwaeme.
The training covers various aspects of modern refereeing including new law changes, tactical approaches, handball and offside decisions, penalty area incidents, and the use of new FIFA equipment. Each day begins with practical training sessions involving referees and players.
For the young talents program, participants will learn about tactical fouls, penalty area incidents, modern refereeing techniques, positioning, fitness analysis, and other essential skills.
The initiative represents FIFA’s continued commitment to improving refereeing standards in Nigeria and aligning local practices with international requirements.
