The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is set for a groundbreaking transformation with the official introduction of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) beginning from the 2025/26 season. The announcement was made by NPFL President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, during the league’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Abuja, where club representatives gathered for the official fixture draw.
Gusau described the implementation of VAR as a critical milestone in his broader reform agenda for Nigerian football. He emphasized that the system will drastically reduce officiating controversies, improve decision-making accuracy, and restore credibility to the league.
“This is not just about technology—it’s about credibility, professionalism, and moving our league forward,” Gusau said, noting that transparency and fair officiating are non-negotiable pillars for the NPFL’s development.
In line with the VAR rollout, all 20 NPFL clubs have been directed to upgrade their home stadiums to meet specific VAR compliance standards. The adoption of VAR will be integrated into club licensing protocols, with infrastructure, performance, and organizational standards becoming mandatory prerequisites for participation in the new season.
Key expected benefits of the VAR system include:
- More accurate decision-making in crucial match situations
- Reduction in officiating errors and controversies
- Enhanced fairness and integrity of match outcomes
- Upgraded infrastructure across league venues
- Increased confidence from fans, stakeholders, and international observers
With this bold initiative, Nigeria joins the growing list of African football nations—including Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa—that have already embraced VAR in their domestic leagues.
The move aligns with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA’s goals for modernization and digital integration in football, and is expected to boost the NPFL’s competitiveness and visibility on the global stage.
Gusau reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to elevating the standards of Nigerian football and called on clubs, officials, and fans to embrace the change for the greater good of the sport.
