Newly elected President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Mustapha Abdullahi, has pledged far-reaching reforms, grassroots development and improved player welfare to transform Nigerian basketball. Abdullahi made the pledge in his acceptance speech following his election, promising to strengthen domestic leagues, improve facilities and establish sustainable commercial partnerships.
Abdullahi secured 40 votes to defeat former D'Tigers captain Olumide Oyedeji, who polled eight votes in the election. He expressed gratitude to delegates, describing his victory as a collective achievement for players, coaches, officials and young Nigerians aspiring to build careers through basketball.
Reflecting on his personal journey, Abdullahi recalled playing basketball as a young boy despite financial difficulties, sometimes borrowing money to buy shoes and enduring injuries because of his passion for the game. "My presidency will mark a decisive departure from business as usual. We cannot keep doing things the same way and expect a different result," he said.
Abdullahi outlined an agenda to rebuild basketball from the grassroots, upgrade facilities, protect players' welfare, invest in coaches and referees, and promote women's basketball. He also pledged to pursue excellence across the senior national teams, D'Tigers and D'Tigress, as well as the country's youth teams.
On commercial development, he promised to open the federation to partnerships with private investors, corporate organisations, international basketball institutions and Nigerians in the diaspora. "Every promise we make must translate into action, and every reform must be measured by its impact on the people and institutions we serve," Abdullahi said. The president also promised to unveil a comprehensive implementation blueprint in the coming weeks.
