I have experienced Nigerian basketball from almost every angle. I wore the green and white at youth and senior national team levels, played at the University of Wyoming and later professionally. I became the first Nigerian certified as an NBA agent in the United States, spent more than 17 years representing athletes and served as Vice President at BDA Sports Management.
I eventually returned home, where I helped bring the African Basketball League and Continental Basketball League to Nigeria and co founded AFA Sports, the first African brand to outfit a team at the Olympic Games.
From all those experiences, one lesson has remained clear. Nigeria has never lacked basketball talent. What has been missing is the structure, investment and business system needed to turn that talent into a sustainable industry.
That is why I believe Dr Mustapha Abdullahi should lead the Nigeria Basketball Federation.
Basketball in Africa is no longer simply a sport. It is becoming a serious business opportunity. Since its launch, the Basketball Africa League has contributed more than $250 million to African economies and supported nearly 37,000 jobs, according to figures cited by the league and NBA Africa.
The opportunity is only getting bigger. The next phase of African basketball is expected to bring more investment into franchises, arenas, broadcasting and other areas around the game.
Much of that investment has so far gone to cities such as Kigali, Dakar, Rabat and Pretoria. Nigeria, with its huge population and deep pool of basketball talent, has the opportunity to attract a much larger share of that business.
The talent is already here. Nigerians continue to make their mark in international basketball, while D’Tigress have established themselves among Africa’s strongest women’s teams. Across the country, there are young players with the ability and ambition to reach the highest level, but many still lack proper courts, organised competitions and a clear pathway into professional basketball.
This is where leadership becomes important.
A successful basketball system can also strengthen Nigeria’s international image. When Nigerian players succeed on the global stage or D’Tigress win major competitions, they showcase another side of the country. Basketball can also create opportunities in media, hospitality, technology, marketing, entertainment and other sectors connected to sport.
The next NBBF leadership therefore needs to look beyond competitions and trophies. It needs to build an enterprise around Nigerian basketball.
That means developing modern, multi purpose arenas across the country and creating room for private investment. It means establishing clear rules, transparent accounts, reliable calendars and properly managed contracts so investors can have confidence in the system.
It also means treating the national leagues and teams as valuable sporting properties. Professional management, long term planning, media rights, sponsorship and diaspora scouting should become part of a broader commercial strategy.
Digitisation must also play a major role. Nigeria needs a central database covering players, coaches, referees and clubs, while competitions should have reliable digital platforms, live statistics and accessible broadcasts.
Data matters because sponsors, broadcasters and investors need to see the size and potential of the market. It can also make the system more transparent and help ensure that promising players do not disappear unnoticed.
Government alone cannot finance the future of Nigerian basketball. The federation must create an environment where private investors can confidently support clubs, academies, facilities and other basketball ventures.
I have experienced that side of the business myself. I built a private professional league in Nigeria, working with sponsors, players and supporters, and I understand the importance of creating an environment where people are willing to invest.
Why I support Dr Mustapha Abdullahi
The responsibilities ahead require more than an understanding of basketball. They require management, administration, financial discipline, infrastructure planning and the ability to work with institutions and private partners.
Dr Abdullahi holds a PhD in mechanical engineering from the University of Manchester and serves as Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria. His work involves budgets, infrastructure, audits, policy and engagement with local and international partners.
But his professional background is not the only reason for my support.
I have known him for more than two years, before the current election became a major issue, and I have seen his interest in basketball first hand. Through the DAM Foundation, he has supported grassroots basketball and organised the annual championship in Okene, providing young players with opportunities to compete and gain exposure. Recent reports also show the foundation expanding its grassroots activities through competitions, facilities and youth development programmes.
For me, that matters because genuine commitment to the game cannot be measured only by what someone says during an election. It should also be seen in what they have already done.
Dr Abdullahi speaks about basketball as a sector rather than simply a competition. His focus, as presented by his supporters and in his own recent statements, includes grassroots development, infrastructure, player welfare, mentorship and stronger opportunities for young talents.
Those of us who have worn the national jersey should also have a meaningful role in the administration of the game, particularly in technical matters, national teams and youth development.
The ideal federation president should be able to empower basketball professionals while concentrating on building the institution around them.
Bringing Nigerian basketball together
Another important issue is unity.
Nigerian basketball needs an administration that can work with former internationals, state associations, coaches, referees, players, administrators and members of the diaspora. There is room for different opinions, but the sport cannot move forward if its major stakeholders remain divided.
Dr Abdullahi, in my view, has the opportunity to create that wider space. He is accessible, listens to people and, based on my experience with him, has the temperament to engage different sides of the basketball community.
Nigerian basketball is too important to be carried by one group alone. The country has the players, the audience and the potential market. What is needed now is a structure capable of bringing those assets together and turning them into a sustainable sporting industry.
The NBBF election will determine who leads the federation into this next phase. Having viewed Nigerian basketball from the court, the professional side, player representation and league administration, I have made my choice.
