In a narrative defying all expectations, Nigeria’s newest basketball sensation, the Mark Town Flyers, were lauded at a special reception in Abuja on Monday, celebrating their remarkable emergence as the 2025 NBBF Champions. This triumph, unforeseen by many, has ignited a fresh wave of optimism within the nation’s basketball community.
Basketball development advocate Igoche Mark, speaking at the celebratory event, hailed the Flyers’ victory as “history-making,” commending their unwavering resilience and determination in overcoming formidable odds. “They have achieved something unprecedented. Many doubted their potential to reach this stage, yet they emphatically proved everyone wrong,” Mark stated. He expressed profound faith in the team’s prospects on the continental stage: “I have faith in them. By the time they get to the BAL, they will make Nigeria proud and set the best record we’ve ever had.”
Mark further underscored the pressing need for a revitalisation of Nigeria’s traditional league structure, reminiscing about a time when the league boasted home-and-away fixtures, a comprehensive season calendar, and a clear pathway to the playoffs. “We’re not asking for the moon. We only want what we used to have. Our league once ran for months with home and away games before the Final Eight. Bringing that system back is key to growing basketball in Nigeria,” he asserted.
Reflecting on the Flyers’ meteoric ascent, Mark described their story as “special,” viewing it as irrefutable evidence of Nigeria’s abundant talent pool and the extraordinary potential of young players when afforded adequate support. “These boys came together barely a year ago and have achieved what many established teams could not. Beating the defending champions on their home court shows true grit and promise,” he noted.
Akerannan Manusseh Achii, the owner of Mark Town Flyers, formerly known as Lagos Legends, shared the arduous yet ultimately rewarding journey that culminated in their national championship. “It was a tedious journey. I acquired the team just two and a half weeks before the league commenced. Securing players, funding, logistics—everything was immensely challenging. But I’m grateful to God and the players,” Achii recounted. He revealed that his vision for the team crystallised last year in Kigali during the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Finals. “We were watching the BAL, and I said I wanted to be here. I didn’t even have a team then. But this year I got the opportunity, we fought hard, and now we are heading to BAL. It feels surreal,” he stated with palpable emotion.
With BAL qualification now secured, Achii emphasised that the immediate focus shifts to rigorous preparation and forging strategic partnerships. “We want to go all the way. We are open to sponsorships, collaborations—anything that can help this team. At this stage, we’re representing not just a state, but Nigeria,” he stressed. Mark echoed this sentiment, calling for collective support from the private sector, stakeholders, and institutions. “Benue State Government is already doing its part. But we all need to contribute. With joint support, this team will go far in the BAL,” he affirmed.
In his welcome address, respected basketball advocate Kingsley Aigbonoga underscored that the true, sustainable development of the sport hinges on deliberate investment in youth. The event itself served as a powerful testament to the enduring passion for basketball in Nigeria, bringing together a diverse assembly of former and current players, journalists, administrators, friends, and well-wishers. From a last-minute team acquisition to becoming national champions in less than a year, the Mark Town Flyers have undeniably rewritten Nigerian basketball history. As their preparation for the BAL intensifies, a unified message resonated across the hall: hope and unwavering support for their continental aspirations.
