NBBF Polls: Mustapha Targets Grassroots Revival, Professional League System

Dr Abdullahi Mustapha, a candidate for the presidency of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), has promised to overhaul the administration and development of basketball in Nigeria if elected on October 15.

Mustapha, who spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday ahead of the federation’s elective congress, said his ambition was to establish a professional, united and financially sustainable basketball system capable of producing world-class players and officials.

He said Nigerian basketball had immense potential but required a stronger institutional framework, sustained investment and a clearly defined development pathway to compete consistently at the highest level.

According to him, his administration would make grassroots development the foundation of its basketball development strategy.

He proposed a coordinated national schools basketball programme, stronger competitions at local and national levels, regional talent centres and a national talent-identification and player-tracking system.

Mustapha said the system would provide a structured pathway for young players from schools and communities through academies and clubs into domestic leagues and national teams.

He stressed that geography, financial circumstances or lack of personal connections should not prevent talented Nigerian youngsters from pursuing basketball careers.

The candidate also identified the strengthening of domestic competitions as a major priority, promising to introduce a predictable league calendar and improve club structures, licensing, player contracts and welfare.

He said better venues, digital statistics, improved broadcasting and stronger commercial structures were necessary to make Nigerian basketball more attractive to players, supporters and investors.

“Nigerian players should not have to remain inactive for long periods simply because our domestic system is unable to provide regular competition,” Mustapha said.

He also pledged greater investment in coaches, referees, statisticians, physiotherapists, team managers and other technical personnel, with emphasis on certification, continuous training, international exposure and modern performance-management tools.

On the national teams, Mustapha said D’Tigers, D’Tigress and the various age-grade teams must move away from last-minute preparations.

He promised early preparation, merit-based selection, improved player welfare, medical support, professional technical crews and long-term succession planning.

The candidate singled out D’Tigress as evidence of Nigeria’s potential in basketball, saying the success of the women’s national team showed what could be achieved when players received the right support.

“Women’s basketball will therefore be a major pillar of our development agenda,” he said.

Mustapha also promised a nationwide audit of basketball facilities and partnerships with governments and private investors to renovate abandoned courts, build community facilities and establish regional high-performance centres.

He said the federation must also reduce its dependence on irregular funding by developing sustainable commercial revenue streams.

His proposed commercial strategy includes sponsorship, broadcasting and digital rights, merchandise, event management, corporate partnerships, diaspora engagement and international development funding.

Mustapha further pledged to improve governance and restore unity within the basketball family by ensuring that players, coaches, referees, clubs, state associations, academies, sponsors, former internationals and supporters have meaningful opportunities to contribute to the federation’s development.

He unveiled a proposed 100-day action plan that would begin with an audit of the federation’s finances, competitions, facilities and development programmes.

Other immediate priorities include a national stakeholders’ summit, a unified competition calendar, advisory structures for players, coaches, referees and clubs, a digital registration and statistics platform, engagement with sponsors, a national facilities audit and a reconciliation programme.

He also proposed the development of a four-year strategic plan to provide continuity and measurable targets for Nigerian basketball.

Mustapha, who said he had been involved in basketball for decades, cited the DAM Foundation’s support for grassroots competitions, talent development, player welfare and basketball infrastructure in Kano and Kogi as evidence of his commitment to the sport.

He said his wider objective was to use basketball to create opportunities for young Nigerians and help keep youths away from violence and other social vices.

“I am not promising perfection. I am promising leadership that will listen, build partnerships, establish systems and measure itself by results,” Mustapha said.

He urged NBBF delegates to support his programme at the October 15 election, insisting that the presidency should be about service rather than personal entitlement.

“The NBBF presidency should not be about preserving divisions. It should be about building an institution,” he said.

“Together, we can move Nigerian basketball from potential to podium.”