President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling all the electoral promises he made before the conclusion of his tenure.

Gusau made this declaration on Wednesday in Abuja at the Monthly Nigeria National League (NNL) Awards ceremony for April and May 2025. Speaking to players, coaches, administrators, and media present at the event, the NFF President highlighted several key achievements already recorded under his administration — chief among them, the alignment of Nigeria’s domestic league calendar with global standards.

“I promised Nigerians that our Professional Football League would align with international calendars. Today, our Premier League ends the same day as the English Premier League. That’s a great achievement,” Gusau said. “We now start when we announce and end when we announce, with no more unnecessary stoppages.”

Addressing officiating standards in the country, Gusau lamented the absence of Nigerian referees on elite international lists but expressed pride in the progress being made to change that narrative.

“Whenever I open the internet and see FIFA and CAF referee lists without a Nigerian name, I have sleepless nights,” he revealed. “I remembered my promise that Nigerian referees will officiate at the highest levels. I directed young referees to undergo the MA Elite Courses, and from that, 20 were picked for special training. Ten of them are now officiating in the NPFL and doing excellently. One is even heading to the Women’s Nations Cup in Morocco.”

Gusau noted that the calendar alignment wasn’t exclusive to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), but also extended to the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL), reflecting a broader vision for systematic and inclusive development.

Looking to the future, the NFF President restated his administration’s commitment to grassroots football as a long-term investment in the game’s sustainability and competitiveness.

“We are not stopping here. The focus remains on strengthening grassroots football and creating a pathway for young talents across the country,” he said.

Gusau also commended the NNL for its growing professionalism and dedication to excellence, stating that the Monthly Awards ceremony plays a crucial role in recognizing and rewarding excellence across the league.

“These awards celebrate brilliance across the board — players, coaches, and clubs. They help build a culture of excellence, and that’s what Nigerian football needs to thrive,” he concluded.

The NNL Awards for April and May honored standout performers including players, coaches, and clubs that have made remarkable contributions to the league’s success.