Nigerian Umpire Enesi Amoto Makes History With ICC Development Panel Appointment

The President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata, has hailed the appointment of Enesi Habib Amoto to the ICC Development Panel of Umpires, describing it as a landmark achievement for Nigerian cricket.

In a statement released by the federation, Akpata said Amoto had become the first Nigerian umpire to earn a place on the prestigious panel, marking another major milestone in the country’s growing influence within international cricket.

According to the NCF president, the appointment reflects years of dedication, consistency and professionalism by the Nigerian official, whose rise continues to inspire the next generation of cricket umpires in the country.

Amoto made his debut in International Cricket Council competitions in 2018 during the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup Africa Division Two qualifiers held in Potchefstroom, South Africa. Since then, he has officiated at several ICC tournaments, invitational events and franchise competitions across Africa.

The experienced umpire has also amassed more than 60 T20 International appearances, further establishing himself as one of Nigeria’s leading cricket officials.

Akpata noted that the latest recognition underlines the federation’s commitment to aligning Nigerian cricket with international best practices through the development of players, coaches and technical officials.

The NCF president also recalled that Amoto was appointed as a technical consultant to the federation in April 2026 after previously serving as a technical representative on the board of the federation.

He explained that the appointment was aimed at strengthening the development of indigenous umpires and ensuring that domestic cricket competitions in Nigeria meet global standards.

According to Akpata, the decision has already yielded positive results, with Amoto expected to use his vast international experience to improve the technical capacity of umpires and match officials across the country.

The federation reiterated its commitment to positioning Nigerian cricket as a leading brand on the continent through deliberate investment in grassroots and technical development.