Nigeria will have a distinguished presence at the 2026 African U18 Volleyball Nations Championship in Alexandria, Egypt, as International Referee Candidate Abdullateef Busari has been selected to officiate at the continental tournament.
Busari, a respected officer of the Nigerian Navy and one of the country’s most accomplished volleyball officials, is the only Nigerian referee appointed for the championship, underlining the confidence the African volleyball community has in his officiating abilities.
His appointment comes on the back of another impressive international outing where he officiated at the 2026 African Nations Cup Zone 3 Qualifiers in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. During the competition, Busari handled several key matches, including the high-profile encounter between hosts Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, earning praise for his composure, consistency, and adherence to international officiating standards.
Beyond his international assignments, Busari has built an outstanding reputation within Nigeria through years of officiating at national competitions, including the National Volleyball Division Two League.
He has also played a vital role in mentoring young referees through the Nigeria Volleyball Referees Association, helping to raise officiating standards across the country.
His selection for the African U18 Championship is another milestone for Nigerian volleyball officiating and reflects the growing recognition of Nigerian referees on the continental stage.
As the tournament gets underway in Alexandria, Busari will not only represent himself but also carry the hopes of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation and the nation’s officiating community, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to producing world-class referees alongside talented players.
For Busari, the assignment is another opportunity to showcase professionalism, fairness, and excellence on one of Africa’s biggest volleyball stages while inspiring the next generation of Nigerian match officials.
