NPFL referee, Usman, earns UNILORIN Ph.D.
By Abubakar Imam
A Grade One Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) referee, Abubakar Usman, has successfully completed his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree at the University of Ilorin.
Dr Usman, who is also a member of the Kwara State Football Referees Council and lecturer at the Kwara State College of Education, Oro, last Tuesday (June 16, 2026) defended his doctoral thesis, titled “Administrative and Socio-Economic Factors as Predictors of Football Referees’ Performance in the Nigeria National League in North-Central States, Nigeria” at the Department of Human Kinetics Education.
Speaking with UNILORIN Bulletin on the development, Dr Usman thanked the University of Ilorin for the opportunity granted him to pursue and complete the terminal degree at the University.
He explained that the achievement came barely a year after he was promoted to officiate in the NPFL, Nigeria’s top-flight football league as he said that his latest academic qualification would enhance his commitment to excellence both on the field and in academia.
He also expressed gratitude to God for making one of his lifelong dreams a reality. He noted that while his promotion to the NPFL last season was a major milestone, obtaining a Ph. D. this year and from a frontline University represents another significant target achieved in his personal and professional journey.
“I am so happy and I give glory to God for making one of my dreams come true. I was fortunate to be promoted to the NPFL last year, and this year I have achieved another desired target. However, this is not my final stage, especially on the academic side. I still have greater aspirations beyond the doctorate level,” he said.
Also speaking, the Supervisor of Dr Usman’s Ph. D. thesis, Prof. Tajudeen Olanrewaju Ibraheem, described the referee as a good student, who was committed and dedicated to academic excellence.
Prof. Ibraheem, who is also the Director of the University of Ilorin Sports Council, added that “Dr Usman is a very good guy who always strive to learn more, which ensured the timely completion of the programme”.
Dr Usman’s latest academic feat has drawn praise from colleagues within the football fraternity and the educational sector, who describe him as a shining example of dedication, discipline and continuous self-development
His success story is expected to inspire aspiring referees, academics and sports administrators across Kwara State and beyond as he has demonstrated that excellence in sports and education can go hand in hand.
