Giants of Africa: Coaching Shortage Hindering Nigeria’s Basketball Potential

Giants of Africa has said Nigeria possesses enough basketball talent to produce elite players and as many as five All-Stars annually in both the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA), but a shortage of qualified coaches continues to hinder that potential.

The organisation made this known during a two-day basketball coaching clinic for female coaches held in Lagos, where experts stressed that improving coaching standards is essential if Nigeria is to consistently develop world-class basketball stars.

Speaking at the event, a senior coach with Giants of Africa and a FIBA instructor, Touomou, explained that the initiative was designed to strengthen coaching capacity and empower women within the sport.

“The goal is to bring female coaches together from across the country to share basketball knowledge and emphasise the value of coaching,” he said.

“We want these women to understand the opportunities coaching offers and the important role they can play in developing young athletes.”

Touomou commended the enthusiasm and willingness to learn demonstrated by Nigerian coaches, describing them as highly responsive compared to counterparts in other African countries he had recently visited, including Ghana, Mali and Sierra Leone.

He noted that coaching extends beyond tactical instruction, stressing that mentors also play a vital role in guiding young people through the distractions and pressures of modern society.

“Sport is a powerful tool for keeping children disciplined and focused on their ambitions,” Touomou said.

“Basketball, in particular, opens doors to Ivy League education and global opportunities. But coaching is one of the most demanding professions. It is tactical, technical and mental. Without strong coaches, Nigeria will never fully realise its basketball potential.”

He maintained that Nigeria has the capacity to consistently produce elite basketball players if coaching receives greater attention and investment.

“We believe Nigeria can produce five All-Stars every year in the NBA and WNBA,” he stated.

“The reason we are not achieving that is the lack of the right coaches. Competition is also limited, but coaching must come first.”

Touomou further highlighted the need to create equal opportunities for women in coaching, arguing that female coaches remain underrepresented across the country.

“Men still have far more opportunities than women,” he said.

“If you look across Nigeria, perhaps about 75 per cent of female teams are coached by men, and that is not fair. Women need the opportunity to coach women. Conversations between female players and female coaches can be different, and we must encourage and trust women’s knowledge of the game.”

The Coordinator of Giants of Africa in Nigeria, Coach Michael Akubo, echoed these views, describing the turnout of female coaches at the clinic as “tremendous and very encouraging”.

While acknowledging cultural, religious and traditional challenges affecting women’s participation in coaching, Akubo expressed optimism about the future.

“We are working hard to overcome these barriers,” he said.

“Coaching begins with the fundamentals, teaching young players who may never have touched a basketball before. Despite challenges such as inadequate facilities, limited funding and insufficient media attention, we remain committed and determined.”

He reiterated the organisation’s philosophy, saying: “When women win, we all win.”

One of the participants, Abiba Gbadamosi, described the clinic as a transformative experience that had broadened her understanding of the profession.

“It has been an eye-opening experience,” she said.

“I regret missing previous clinics, but I will definitely attend more in the future. I have learned that the little things matter, and those lessons will help me guide younger generations. Nobody knows everything; we learn every day.”