Nigeria Football Mourns Loss of Referees Boss Sani Zubairu

Sani Zubairu, the president of the Nigeria Football Referees Association (NFRA), died in the early hours of March 24, 2026, following a brief illness. Zubairu, a former FIFA referee, previously served as the head of the referees unit at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) secretariat.

His passing was confirmed by the NFF's General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, who expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing it as a painful moment for Nigerian football.

Zubairu was recognized for his diligent work and humility, significantly impacting the development of refereeing in Nigeria. He played a pivotal role in organizing training programs aimed at improving the competence of top referees and mentoring emerging officials.

His contributions have been instrumental in nurturing future talent in the field. The NFF and NFRA expressed their condolences, stating that Zubairu would be greatly missed and that they pray for eternal rest for him and strength for his family and friends during this difficult time.