The Students Sports Federation of Nigeria, SSFON, and the Amalgamation of Regional Youth Organisations of Nigeria, ARYON, have called for the repositioning of Nigerian basketball ahead of the Oct. 15 election of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF.
The groups made the call in a joint statement on Wednesday, urging delegates to focus on the long term development of the sport rather than personalities, propaganda and personal attacks.
The organisations said the NBBF presidency requires vision, administrative capacity, integrity, innovation and a commitment to building a sustainable basketball ecosystem.
They said experience remained valuable but should be used to drive institutional progress, rather than become a basis for prolonged leadership.
“The fundamental question before the delegates is clear: What does each aspirant intend to build, how will that vision be executed?” the groups said.
They also rejected attempts to portray younger aspirants with new ideas as outsiders, arguing that generational renewal could contribute to institutional development within the federation.
Calls for structural reforms
According to the groups, Nigerian basketball needs stronger administration, institutional stability, grassroots development, sustainable domestic leagues and modern sporting facilities.
They also identified improved athlete welfare, increased private sector investment and clearer pathways for young players to progress to elite competition as priorities for the next NBBF administration.
The organisations expressed concern over what they described as character attacks and smear campaigns targeting some aspirants, saying the election should be determined by candidates’ programmes, records and capacity to deliver.
They urged delegates to scrutinise the manifestos, policy frameworks and strategic plans of all candidates before making their choices.
The groups also said professional or public service experience should not automatically disqualify individuals from seeking leadership positions in sports federations.
Election preparations
The NBBF elective congress is scheduled for Oct. 15 in Abuja and will produce the federation’s executive board for the 2026 to 2030 tenure. The electoral process is being overseen by a seven member Electoral Committee chaired by Dr. Lanre Glover, alongside a three member Appeals Committee.
The electoral guidelines provide for representatives from the International Basketball Federation, FIBA, the Nigeria Olympic Committee and the National Sports Commission to witness the election.
The proposed executive board will include the president, vice president and zonal representatives, alongside representatives of referees and coaches, players, the military and paramilitary, corporate sponsors, continental and international boards, the Nigerian Association of Women in Sports and the National Association of Physical, Health Education, Recreation, Sports and Dance.
Three candidates have formally declared interest in the NBBF presidency: Energy Commission of Nigeria Director General Abdullahi Mustapha, and former D’Tigers players Ejike Ugboaja and Olumide Oyedeji.
The groups said the forthcoming election should provide an opportunity to move the federation away from recurring disputes and toward institutional stability, talent development, investment and improved competitive performance.
They urged delegates to place the broader interests of Nigerian basketball above individual loyalties and assess each aspirant on the basis of a credible and measurable development roadmap.
“Nigerian basketball cannot remain in continuous contestation. The time to build, unite, develop, and win is now,” the organisations said.
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