Itemusgbor Foresees Significant Growth For Nigerian Basketball With NNPC Deal

Chief Mike Itemuagbor, Chairman and CEO of Pamodzi, has expressed considerable excitement regarding the proposed deal between the Nigeria Basketball Federation and NNPC Limited. Itemuagbor, a prominent figure in Nigerian and international sports marketing, believes this package is crucial for the advancement of Nigerian basketball, particularly at the domestic level.

Speaking mid-week about the prospective agreement, Itemuagbor remarked, “The truly positive aspect of this package is that the players and teams are the genuine beneficiaries. When we see this through, players and teams will undoubtedly celebrate it.”

He continued, “We can establish a system where teams earn substantial income and gain greater opportunities for further self-marketing. Basketball is a colossal platform globally, and that’s precisely how it should be in Nigeria. Aside from football, I don’t see any other sport that can eclipse basketball here, and that’s the understanding we are all leveraging and working with.”

Itemuagbor, who is facilitating the basketball deal and other events through M4S, a sister company to Pamodzi, urged all basketball stakeholders in the country to channel their passion towards initiatives that will foster the game’s growth and development in Nigeria.

“The plan to bring NNPC on board should be embraced by everyone who genuinely loves basketball in Nigeria. This deal will bolster the league here, and once we get this right, many other positive developments will follow.”

He appealed, “I implore everyone to grasp the broader vision and lend their support. My company is solely interested in the game itself, not power, and so my concern is for us all to help enhance the image and make the system highly attractive to sponsors.”

“Basketball is incredibly entertaining and financially rewarding in the USA, and we can replicate that success here.”

Stakeholders are optimistic that significant progress will be made on this new deal, set to be the largest in Nigerian basketball history, by the end of the first quarter of 2026.