The NFF Referees Committee has released the schedule for the pre-season programs for referees in the NNL, Nationwide, and Women’s League categories.

According to a circular signed by Nasiru Ibrahim, for the Head of Referees Development Unit, assessors from the southern states are to arrive on October 19, 2025, for registration, undertake their 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 are to arrive on October 21 for medicals and fitness tests on October 22, while their seminar holds on October 23 and 24, with departure on October 25.

Group B states from the South—comprising Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Enugu, Ekiti, Ogun, Rivers, and Kwara—are to report for medicals on October 25, undertake their fitness test on October 26, and attend the seminar on October 27 and 28 before departure.

The venue for the southern programs is the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

The notice further states that all eligible female referees from the South are also to participate with Group A.

States in the Northern Zone are expected to converge in Zaria, Kaduna State, for their exercises. Assessors from the area are to report on October 26 for the seminar on October 27 before departure the next day.

Active referees from Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, and Zamfara, forming Group A, are to report for medicals on October 28, take part in the fitness test on October 29, and attend the seminar on October 30 and 31.

Our reporter also learnt that Group B, comprising Bauchi, Benue, FCT, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, and Sokoto, will arrive for medicals on November 1, take their fitness test on November 2, and attend the seminar on November 3 and 4 before departing on November 5.

Female referees from the North are to join Group A for the exercises.