Says driven by the need to build a stronger institution for Nigeria.
Dr Abdullahi Mustapha, a candidate for the presidency of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), has unveiled an ambitious “New Dawn” agenda aimed at transforming Nigerian basketball through professional administration, grassroots development, improved competitions and sustainable commercial investment.
Mustapha made the pledge on Wednesday in Abuja while addressing the media ahead of the NBBF elective congress scheduled for October 15, 2026.
He said his decision to contest the presidency was driven by the need to build a stronger institution capable of converting Nigeria’s abundant basketball talent into sustained success at domestic and international levels.
According to him, the election should be viewed as more than a contest for leadership, but as an opportunity to determine the future direction of Nigerian basketball.
“I believe Nigerian basketball has enormous potential, but that potential must now be matched with a stronger institution, sustainable investment, professional administration and a clear development pathway,” Mustapha said.
The presidential hopeful said his proposed administration would prioritise grassroots development, arguing that the next generation of D’Tigers and D’Tigress players were already playing in schools, communities, academies and local courts across the country.
He proposed the establishment of a coordinated national schools basketball programme, stronger competitions from local government to national level, regional talent centres and a national talent-identification and player-tracking system.
Mustapha also promised to create a structured pathway linking schools, academies, clubs, leagues and national teams, insisting that talented youngsters should not be denied opportunities because of their location, financial circumstances or lack of connections.
He said restoring confidence in domestic competitions would be another major priority of his administration.
According to him, Nigerian leagues require predictable calendars, stronger club structures, proper licensing, improved player contracts and welfare, better venues, digital statistics and stronger broadcasting and commercial platforms.
“Nigerian players should not have to remain inactive for long periods simply because our domestic system is unable to provide regular competition,” he said.
Mustapha further promised to invest in coaches, referees, statisticians, physiotherapists, team managers and other technical personnel through regular training, certification, international exposure and the adoption of modern tools in analytics, scouting and performance management.
He said national teams should no longer operate on emergency preparations, but should have permanent development structures.
Under his proposed system, D’Tigers, D’Tigress and Nigeria’s age-grade teams would benefit from early preparations, merit-based selection, improved welfare, medical support, professional technical crews and long-term succession planning.
Mustapha placed particular emphasis on women’s basketball, saying the achievements of D’Tigress had demonstrated what Nigerian basketball could accomplish when players were properly supported.
“Women’s basketball will therefore be a major pillar of our development agenda,” he said.
Infrastructure also featured prominently in his plans, with the candidate proposing a national audit of basketball facilities and partnerships with governments and private investors to renovate abandoned courts, construct community facilities and establish regional high-performance centres.
He said the NBBF must also become commercially sustainable by developing revenue streams through sponsorship, broadcasting and digital rights, merchandise, event management, corporate partnerships, diaspora engagement and international development funding.
“Sponsors must receive value, competitions must receive dependable support, and the federation must become an institution capable of generating sustainable revenue,” he said.
On governance, Mustapha promised a more inclusive and transparent NBBF, saying players, coaches, referees, clubs, state associations, academies, sponsors, former internationals and supporters must have meaningful roles in the development of the game.
He also unveiled a proposed 100-day action plan, which includes an audit of the federation’s finances, competitions, facilities and development programmes, a national stakeholders’ summit, a unified competition calendar and advisory structures for players, coaches, referees and clubs.
Other proposals include a digital registration and statistics platform, engagement with existing and prospective sponsors, a national facilities audit, a reconciliation programme and the development of a four-year strategic plan.
Mustapha, who said he had been involved in basketball for decades, cited the work of his DAM Foundation in grassroots competitions, talent development, player welfare and sporting infrastructure in Kano and Kogi as evidence of his commitment to the game.
He also linked his basketball agenda to wider social development, saying the sport could help connect young Nigerians, create opportunities and contribute to efforts to reduce violence and banditry.
“I am not promising perfection. I am promising leadership that will listen, build partnerships, establish systems and measure itself by results,” he said.
“The NBBF presidency should not be about personal entitlement. It should be about service. It should not be about preserving divisions. It should be about building an institution.”
Mustapha urged delegates to support his vision at the October 15 election, declaring: “Together, we can move Nigerian basketball from potential to podium.”
