The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has moved closer to introducing Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in its topflight division, league chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye announced on Thursday.
The initiative, aimed at modernising officiating standards, hinges on securing sponsorship to cover the high cost of VAR equipment and related training.
“The next level now is that we want to advance to the level of having a VAR here,” Elegbeleye said. “We are looking for sponsors to be able to acquire the VAR machine. We are ready to go the VAR way, but the machines are quite expensive. You also need to train those who will operate it.”
Elegbeleye revealed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has shortlisted ten NPFL referees, each with computer literacy skills, for specialised VAR training in Morocco.
“We had an online meeting with the manufacturers and producers of the VAR machines,” he added. “Before you can use it, you must be able to use communication gadgets. It’s not about always going to the screen, you can communicate with the VAR team, and they’ll guide your decision.”
In a separate move to raise match-day standards, the NPFL has issued a firm directive to all member clubs: stadiums must install standard LED floodlights and maintain a standby power generator to host home fixtures in the 2025/26 season.
Clubs that fail to meet these requirements will be compelled to relocate their home games to alternative venues, the league’s chief operating officer, Davidson Owumi, cautioned in a memorandum circulated to club officials.
Owumi emphasised that reliable lighting and power backup are essential for live broadcasts, player safety, and overall spectator experience.
“Clubs without compliant floodlights and an operational generator will not receive approval to stage matches in our next campaign,” he warned.
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