By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
Nigeria Cricket has recorded another major milestone as Nigerian umpire Enesi Habib Amoto became the first official from the country to be appointed to the ICC Development Panel of Umpires.
The historic appointment marks a significant breakthrough for Nigerian cricket and underlines the growing recognition of the country’s contribution to the development of the game on the continent.
Amoto, who made his ICC debut in 2018 during the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifiers in Potchefstroom, South Africa, has steadily built an impressive reputation within international cricket circles. Since his debut, he has officiated at several ICC tournaments, invitationals and franchise competitions across Africa, earning more than 60 T20 International caps.
His elevation to the ICC Development Panel is being celebrated as a reward for years of consistency, professionalism and dedication to the growth of cricket officiating in Nigeria and beyond.
In April 2026, Amoto was appointed Technical Consultant by the Nigeria Cricket Federation after previously serving as the federation’s Technical Representative on the board. In his current role, he is tasked with developing home-grown umpires and supporting the federation in organizing tournaments in Nigeria that meet international standards.
The federation believes the appointment has already proven to be a masterstroke, with Amoto expected to leverage his wealth of international experience to strengthen the technical capacity of umpires and match officials across the country.
President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata, described the achievement as a proud moment for Nigerian cricket and a reflection of the federation’s deliberate commitment to developing the sport in line with global best practices.
“This achievement reflects years of hard work, consistency, and commitment to excellence. It also sets a new standard and opens the door for the next generation of Nigerian officials to aim higher,” Akpata said.
The landmark recognition further reinforces Nigeria Cricket’s vision of positioning the country as an emerging force in global cricket development.
