Nigeria’s football refereeing community has been thrown into mourning after Plateau State referee, Aweng Solomon Maram, suddenly collapsed and died during a mandatory fitness test in Abuja.
The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday, August 18, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, where match officials had gathered for a pre-season fitness assessment ahead of the 2026/2027 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
Maram, an NPFL-category referee attached to the Plateau State Referees’ Council, was taking part in the high-intensity exercise when he reportedly collapsed while running. Despite frantic efforts by the medical team stationed at the venue to revive him, he was rushed to the National Hospital, Abuja, where he was confirmed dead.
His sudden death sent shockwaves through the Nigeria Football Referees’ Association (NFRA), with colleagues describing the incident as a devastating blow to the officiating family.
The NFRA said Maram was among referees participating in the fitness programme organised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Referees Committee as part of preparations for the new football season.
The association’s Acting President, Sir Kelechi Mejuobi, described the late referee as a “rare gem” and a respected match official whose death had left the refereeing community heartbroken.
According to the NFRA, all referees taking part in the exercise had undergone medical checks before being cleared for the fitness test.
The association added that emergency medical personnel at the stadium battled to save Maram after he collapsed before he was taken to the hospital.
The Plateau State Referees’ Council also confirmed the sad development, mourning the loss of one of its members and extending condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
Maram’s death has once again raised concerns over the physical demands placed on football officials, as referees are required to maintain peak fitness levels to cope with the speed and intensity of professional matches.
The incident also brings back memories of previous tragedies involving Nigerian referees during fitness assessments, including cases where officials collapsed during similar exercises in Abuja and other cities.
As the NPFL season draws closer, the Nigerian football family has been left mourning a referee who lost his life while preparing to serve the game he loved.
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