The National Sports Commission (NSC) has called for sustained unity within the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and urged stakeholders to put the past behind them and chart a new way forward for the growth and development of basketball in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, made the call while delivering his keynote address at the NBBF Elective Congress held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Dikko harped on the need for the basketball family to remain united, prioritize peace, and embrace a collective vision for the sport.
In his words: “We are here today to set a new path forward for basketball and everyone that leaves this hall, regardless of the outcome of this election, should join the line. I am hopeful that whatever has happened in the last four or eight years will end today.
“Today marks another watershed moment for us, not just for basketball, but for our sports in general.”
The NSC Chairman noted that every election comes with its peculiar challenges and pockets of disagreements, but emphasized that such issues must be resolved as one family.
“Whatever the issue, we are here as one family. Regardless of what you think, we want to resolve issues and see how to move the sport forward,” he stated.
He stressed that success can only be achieved when all hands are on deck, urging stakeholders to eschew divisive tendencies and work together in an atmosphere of peace and mutual respect.
Dikko further advised the incoming executive board to make the necessary sacrifices, promote the spirit of oneness, demonstrate dedication to their responsibilities, and remain passionate about basketball development.
He assured that the National Sports Commission will continue to provide the necessary enablers to deliver on its mandate for a new and better future for Nigerian basketball.
The Chairman expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his continued and unwavering support to the sports sector.
He also thanked the Federation of International Basketball Associations (FIBA) for providing guidance, framework and guidelines to ensure the growth of basketball in Nigeria and beyond.
Dikko commended the outgoing President of the NBBF, Engr. Musa Kida, for his unwavering commitment and sacrifices which helped to stabilize the federation in the last eight years.
In his remarks, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, also emphasized the importance of operating as one united family.
“The NBBF must continue to operate as a family. Everywhere there are issues or acrimony, growth is always truncated.
“I urge the new exco to come on board and do things a bit differently from the previous exco, which will ensure unity, clarity of purpose and love across the sport,” he said.
The Director General noted that basketball remains one of the major sports that stakeholders cannot afford to toil with, describing the Elective Congress as critical to shaping the future of basketball and repositioning it to take its rightful place in the hierarchy of sports in Nigeria.
In his welcome remarks, the outgoing President of the NBBF, Engr. Musa Kida, described his tenure as a long but fulfilling journey.
“I am stepping down today with joy and a huge sense of pride for our achievements despite great challenges in the last eight years,” Kida said.
He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support to the national teams – D’Tigress and D’Tigers – and appreciated the leadership of the NSC for providing direction for Nigerian sports.
In his goodwill message, the representative of FIBA, Mr. Cham, wished the incoming board success and urged them to sustain NBBF’s status as one of the best basketball federations in Africa. He thanked the President of Nigeria and the NSC for their support for basketball.
Similarly, the representative of the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Abu Gumel, appealed for peace and togetherness among stakeholders.
The Elective Congress is aimed at electing new board members and an Executive Committee that will pilot the affairs of the federation for the next four years.
Dr. (Mrs) Kehinde Ajayi FCAI, ANIPR
Director Press and Public Relations,
National Sports Commission (NSC)
15th October, 2026
