Nigerian wrestling referee Adebiyi Anthony Olusegun has attained the Level 2 United World Wrestling refereeing certification after completing the international course in Alexandria, Egypt.
Nigerian wrestling referee, Adebiyi Anthony Olusegun, has successfully attained the Level 2 United World Wrestling, UWW, Referees Certification.
The Nigeria Wrestling Federation, NWF, announced Olusegun’s achievement in a statement issued by its Media Assistant, Promise Okotoko, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Olusegun completed the Level 2 Referees Course held during the 2026 African Wrestling Championships in Alexandria, Egypt, marking another milestone in his refereeing career.
The 2026 African Wrestling Championships took place in Alexandria from April 27 to May 2 and featured U17, U20 and senior competitions. United World Wrestling also listed referee development courses at the championships, including Level 2 certification.
Olusegun’s participation in the course was sponsored by the NWF as part of the federation’s efforts to strengthen the capacity of Nigerian wrestling officials and provide opportunities for international exposure and professional development.
UWW’s Level 2 referee programme is designed for officials advancing in international wrestling refereeing and includes theoretical lessons, practical exercises and assessments. Successful candidates are awarded a Category II licence after meeting the required standards.
President of the NWF, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said Olusegun’s achievement reflected the vision of the current board to invest not only in athletes but also in referees, coaches and other technical officials.
Adeniyi said the development of qualified technical personnel was essential to the continued growth of wrestling in Nigeria.
“This achievement is a clear demonstration of our commitment to building a strong and sustainable wrestling system in Nigeria,” Adeniyi said.
“Our focus extends beyond athletes to include referees, coaches, and other technical officials because their competence is vital to the continued growth of the sport.”
The UWW officially recognises the Nigeria Wrestling Federation as Nigeria’s national governing body for wrestling, with Adeniyi listed as its president.
While congratulating Olusegun on the international certification, the NWF president urged him to remain committed to professional development and excellence.
“We are delighted with Olusegun’s progress and proud to see him attain this important international qualification.
“I encourage him to remain dedicated and continue striving for excellence. The sky is truly his starting point.
“I urge other young and aspiring referees to embrace development opportunities and prepare themselves to represent Nigeria with distinction,” Adeniyi said.
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