Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Gbenga Elegbeleye, has stated that match officials in the league are performing at a level comparable to their counterparts across the world.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists while reviewing the 2024/25 NPFL season, Elegbeleye praised the quality of officiating in Nigeria’s top flight and cited recent international recognition as proof of progress.
“I’ve travelled around the world and witnessed some shocking officiating decisions — something you hardly see in the NPFL,” he said.
“That’s why I can confidently say our referees are among the best globally.”
Elegbeleye attributed the improvement in officiating standards to continued investment in referee training and support. He noted that Nigerian referees selected for continental duties had performed admirably, helping to raise the league’s profile.
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He pointed to recent milestones, such as Nigerian officiating presence at the CAF U-20 Championship in Egypt and the shortlisting of another referee for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), as tangible signs of advancement.
NPFL Referees. Photo Credit: X
“At the U-20 Championship in Egypt, a Nigerian referee was involved, and another has been shortlisted for WAFCON. This shows clear progress,” Elegbeleye added.
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While acknowledging there is still work to be done in perfecting officiating systems, the NPFL boss stressed the importance of consistent training and retraining to build on current gains.
He also urged the media to play a constructive role in both celebrating excellent refereeing and calling out irregularities, in order to maintain the league’s growth trajectory.
Elegbeleye believes that with continued reforms and media collaboration, the NPFL can sustain its upward momentum and strengthen its reputation at home and abroad.
