Meet this Ibibio Son Anietie Ferdinand Udoh who is the first Akwa Ibom indigene to become a FIFA-badged referee and the youngest Nigerian to become a FIFA-badged referee, a feat he achieved at the age of 26.
Anietie Ferdinand Udoh was a professional referee from Ibiono Ibom local government area of Akwa Ibom state.
A graduate of Geology from the University of Ilorin,he was born in Igoli Ogoja, Cross River State and spent his growing up years on the streets of Benin City.
He started officiating in the top flight of Nigerian Football in 2010 making him the first University Student to officiate the Nigerian Premier league.
His international debut came in 2013 making him one of the youngest African to become a FIFA referee, the first Nigerian to be a FIFA referee at 26 and the first Akwa Ibom indigene to become a FIFA Referee.
The high points and achievements of his career includes the officiating of about 26 international CAF and FIFA games.
-Best Young referee Talent in Africa 2013.
-Best young Talent referee in Laws of the game in Africa 2014.
-Best Referee in Nigeria 2014, 2015, 2016.
-First Nigerian referee to officiate CAF under 17 nations cup 2015.
-First referee in the world to officiate at the Godswill Akpabio international Stadium 2014.
-First referee in Nigeria to use the Vanishing spray.
Anietie is excited to tell you he gets his motivation from the word of God and worship songs and owes his success to the grace of God. He was both a Nigerian and CAF Fifa Badge Referee, He retired in 2013.
He is currently a member of NFF 6 Man committee in charge of sports in Akwa ibom state.