Born and raised in Makurdi, Benue State, Mimisen Calvin-Onwuka—fondly known as “Mimi”—has crafted an extraordinary life. From humble beginnings in a sports-loving family, she rose to prominence as an international football referee under FIFA and a trailblazer advocating for women in sport.
Mimi’s athletic inclination came from her mother, a nurse and athlete whose competitive spirit infused the family. Her father, a lecturer, enjoyed tennis casually, but it was her mother’s passion for sports that defined their upbringing. “We all inherited that competitive spirit,” Mimi recalls, though she often viewed herself differently. “I didn’t like competition,” she admits, battling health challenges like genotype mutations (AS and SS), ulcers, and chest pains during secondary school.
Earning her first refereeing grade in 2005, Mimi balanced officiating with her studies. By 2007, she was officiating in the Nigerian National League, facing scepticism as a woman in a male-dominated field. “People would say, ‘Is that a woman?’” she recalls, confronting the biases with determination. Her commitment paid off in 2012 when she earned her FIFA assistant referee badge, opening doors to officiate international matches, including the African Women’s Cup of Nations, or AWCON.
Mimi’s journey wasn’t without hurdles. After giving birth to her son in 2014, she faced immense pressure to retain her FIFA badge. Despite global rules allowing a year for recovery postpartum, the Nigerian system showed no leniency. “I started training just a month after delivery,” she recalls. “I was told directly that if I didn’t run after giving birth, I should forget about my badge.” With unwavering family support, Mimi rebuilt her strength, passing the rigorous fitness test five months later.
Her experiences revealed systemic inequalities for female referees. “Referees in Africa often weren’t paid what they were worth, and female referees were the last to be considered,” she explains. This spurred Mimi to advocate for fair pay, leading to improved remuneration for women referees. “It was about recognition and respect,” she says.
With the support of her colleagues, Mimisen began advocating for fair pay for referees across the continent, leading to improved payment structures for women referees. “For me, it was more than just money. It was about recognition and respect. It was about telling every young girl who looked up to me that she deserved the same pay, the same respect, and the same opportunities as her male counterparts,” Mimisen says.
In 2019, Mimi launched Girls That Ref, a platform to mentor aspiring female referees. Despite resistance from the referees’ association, Mimi organised seminars and training programs across Benue, Nasarawa, and Cross River States, empowering women to pursue careers in officiating.
By 2022, the initiative evolved into the Goal Bound Initiative, or GBI, offering life skills and entrepreneurship training alongside refereeing mentorship. Participants learnt trades such as tailoring and catering, receiving tools like sewing machines and ovens to start their businesses. One standout graduate transitioned from catering training to running a successful POS business, using her earnings to buy two plots of land.
In January 2024, GBI introduced Girls Play, a program targeting girls aged 10 to 16 in secondary schools. Combining football with life skills, entrepreneurship, and public health education, the initiative was piloted in six Nigerian schools. “Whether these girls become referees or pursue other paths, the life skills they gain will guide them to greater opportunities,” Mimi emphasises.
Mimi’s dedication to officiating reached its zenith in 2021 when she was part of the first all-female trio to officiate at the African Nations Championship (CHAN), a senior men’s tournament. Later that year, she officiated the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League final and participated in a prestigious U.S. Department of State program in 2022.
By 2022, however, Mimi decided to retire from active refereeing. Her career had taken her to top-tier tournaments across Africa, including FIFA World Cup qualifiers and men’s senior tournaments, but the constant travel left little time for her family.
“After years of balancing my career and family, I felt satisfied with what I had accomplished,” she reflects. Now, Mimi channels her energy into running her business, mentoring young women, and spending time with her loved ones.
An Enduring Legacy
Mimi’s journey from a young girl in Makurdi to an international referee and advocate is a testament to resilience and purpose. Through her initiatives, she is shaping a future where young women can thrive in sports and beyond. “Refereeing gave me everything,” she says. “Now, it’s time to ensure these young women have a smoother path than I did.”
Her vision remains unwavering: to create a world where girls can dream big, supported by skills, knowledge, and the confidence to succeed.
Mimisen Calvin-Onwuka, known as Mimi, rose from humble beginnings in Makurdi, Benue State, to become a pioneering international football referee and advocate for women's participation in sports. Her passion for sports was influenced by her athletic mother, though she faced health challenges during her schooling. Earning her first refereeing grade in 2005, Mimi excelled in a male-dominated field, eventually obtaining her FIFA assistant referee badge in 2012 and officiating high-profile tournaments. After having her son in 2014, she overcame systemic challenges to retain her badge, advocating for equal pay and opportunities for female referees in Africa.
In 2019, Mimi launched "Girls That Ref," mentoring aspiring female referees and later founded the "Goal Bound Initiative" (GBI), providing life skills and entrepreneurship training. By 2024, GBI introduced "Girls Play," educating girls in football, life skills, and public health. Mimi achieved significant milestones, being part of the first all-female officiating team at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in 2021 and retiring from active refereeing in 2022. Her enduring legacy continues through her advocacy and mentorship, shaping a future where young women can succeed in sports and beyond.
