Mustapha Abdullahi has been elected President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), securing 40 votes to defeat former D’Tigers captain Olumide Oyedeji, who polled 8 votes.
Abdullahi, who is also the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), emerged victorious in Thursday’s presidential election held in Abuja.
Former international basketball player Ejike Ugboaja received no votes, while another presidential aspirant, Igoche Mark, withdrew from the race on Wednesday, citing concerns about the fairness and credibility of the electoral process.
Ugo Udezue emerged as the federation’s vice-president unopposed, having been the sole candidate for the position.
Abdullahi Pledges Domestic League Reforms
In his acceptance speech, Abdullahi pledged to strengthen domestic basketball competitions, improve players’ welfare and establish sustainable funding mechanisms for the sport.
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He said his administration would prioritise the organisation of domestic leagues, grassroots development and opportunities for emerging talents.
“We will work towards dependable domestic leagues with a clear competition calendar, stronger sponsorship and better conditions for players,” he said.
Abdullahi also promised to improve players’ access to medical care, education and post-retirement opportunities, alongside better working conditions for coaches, referees and technical officials.
He said school and community basketball programmes would receive greater attention, with clearer pathways for young players to progress into clubs, secure scholarships and compete for national team selection.
National Teams and Inclusive Basketball
The newly elected president pledged greater support for Nigeria’s national basketball teams, including D’Tigers, D’Tigress and the youth teams.
According to him, early preparations, fair selection processes and professional planning would be central to improving the teams’ performances in international competitions.
“Women’s basketball and opportunities for athletes with disabilities will receive deliberate attention,” Abdullahi said.
He added that the federation would pursue partnerships to improve basketball facilities, attract investment and generate revenue to support the sport nationwide.
Governance and First 100 Days
Abdullahi said accountability, transparency and compliance with the NBBF Constitution and applicable International Basketball Federation (FIBA) regulations would guide his administration.
He announced plans to conduct an institutional and facilities audit within his first 100 days in office.
“We will also convene stakeholders’ engagement, pursue reconciliation, publish a unified competition calendar and develop a four-year plan,” he said.
The proposed measures form part of Abdullahi’s agenda for the federation following Thursday’s election.
