BENEDICT NWACHUKWU, ABUJA
Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, candidate for the presidency of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), has promised to overhaul the federation’s financial and administrative structure, declaring that Nigerian basketball must become a commercially sustainable institution rather than depend largely on irregular funding.
Abdullahi, ahead of the October 15 elective congress in Abuja, said his proposed administration would build a professional commercial structure driven by sponsorship, broadcasting, digital rights, merchandising, event management, corporate partnerships, diaspora engagement and international development funding.
He said the NBBF possessed enormous commercial potential but had yet to fully convert the popularity and talent surrounding Nigerian basketball into sustainable revenue capable of funding competitions, player welfare, infrastructure and national teams.
“Sponsors must receive value, competitions must receive dependable support, and the federation must become an institution capable of generating sustainable revenue,” he said.
The presidential candidate also placed transparency and accountability at the centre of his proposed administration, promising a comprehensive audit of the federation’s finances, competitions, facilities and development programmes within his first 100 days in office.
He said the audit would provide the foundation for a four-year strategic development plan and measurable targets for the federation.
Abdullahi further promised to introduce digital systems for registration, statistics and administration, arguing that modern basketball management could no longer rely on outdated structures.
He said the NBBF would also develop a unified competition calendar to give players, clubs, sponsors and broadcasters greater certainty and make domestic competitions more commercially attractive.
According to him, Nigerian basketball leagues require stronger club structures, proper licensing, improved player contracts, better welfare packages, quality venues, digital statistics and stronger broadcasting arrangements.
The candidate said the absence of regular and properly organised competitions had contributed to prolonged periods of inactivity for Nigerian players and weakened the commercial value of domestic basketball.
He therefore promised to build a league system that would provide regular competition while creating opportunities for sponsors and broadcasters.
Abdullahi also proposed formal advisory structures for players, coaches, referees and clubs as part of his plan to widen stakeholder participation in the running of the federation.
He said the NBBF must belong to the entire basketball family, including players, coaches, referees, clubs, state associations, academies, sponsors, former internationals and supporters.
His administration, he added, would pursue “transparent administration, measurable targets, digital systems, proper reporting and meaningful stakeholder engagement.”
The candidate also called for reconciliation within the basketball family, promising a programme aimed at healing divisions and restoring unity ahead of what he described as a new era for the sport.
“We will pursue transparent administration, measurable targets, digital systems, proper reporting and meaningful stakeholder engagement,” he said.
Abdullahi said his commercial strategy would not be restricted to traditional sponsorship, identifying broadcasting and digital rights, merchandise, event management, corporate partnerships, diaspora networks and international development funding as additional revenue streams.
He also promised to engage existing and prospective sponsors within his first 100 days.
The NBBF presidential hopeful said investment in the people behind basketball would form part of his institutional reform, with coaches, referees, statisticians, physiotherapists and team managers to receive continuous training, certification and international exposure.
He also promised to strengthen player welfare from the grassroots to the national teams.
On infrastructure, Abdullahi said his administration would conduct a national audit of basketball facilities and work with governments and private partners to renovate abandoned courts, construct community facilities and establish regional high-performance centres.
He said his experience through the DAM Foundation had already exposed him to the impact that functional basketball facilities could have on communities.
Abdullahi, who has supported grassroots competitions, talent development, player welfare and basketball infrastructure in Kano and Kogi, said he was not coming into the election with promises alone.
“These are not promises for tomorrow; they are investments already made in the game,” he said.
He also pledged to professionalise the management of D’Tigers, D’Tigress and Nigeria’s age-grade national teams through early preparation, merit-based selection, professional technical crews, medical support and long-term succession planning.
According to him, the success of D’Tigress demonstrates that Nigerian basketball can compete at the highest level when players are properly supported.
Abdullahi said the federation must also use basketball to tackle wider social challenges, particularly youth unemployment, violence and insecurity.
“It is my profound desire to use basketball as a tool to connect our young people, lift them out of the streets and help reduce violence and banditry across the country,” he said.
He urged delegates to reject the idea that the NBBF presidency should be an avenue for personal entitlement, insisting that the office must be driven by service and institution-building.
“The NBBF presidency should not be about preserving divisions. It should be about building an institution,” he declared.
Abdullahi said his ultimate ambition was to build a united, professionally administered and commercially sustainable basketball system capable of competing consistently among the world’s best.
He appealed to delegates to support his candidacy at the October 15 congress, promising to bring experience, capacity, transparency and a network of partnerships capable of accelerating the transformation of Nigerian basketball.
“Together, we can move Nigerian basketball from potential to podium,” he said.
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