NBBF Commits To March 2026 Elections Amid Calls for Constitutional Compliance

NBBF Commits To March 2026 Elections Amid Calls for Constitutional Compliance

By Niyi Busari 

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has fixed March 2026 as the timeline for its Elective Congress, following high-level consultations aimed at restoring constitutional order to the federation.

The decision was reached after a strategic meeting involving NBBF board members and key basketball stakeholders, alongside the leadership of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade. 

The meeting was convened to address governance concerns arising from the federation’s inability to conduct elections within the timeliness leading to the expiration of its tenure, a situation that led to prolonged administration beyond constitutional limits.

Discussions at the meeting focused on critical strategic, technical and administrative issues affecting basketball development in Nigeria, as well as aligning the federation’s operations with the policy direction and expectations of the National Sports Commission ahead of the 2026 sports calendar.

Stakeholders had earlier gathered last Thursday at the Media Centre of the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, where the NSC Director-General presented documentary evidence confirming that the NBBF Board was operational between February and October 2022. According to the documents, the NBBF had issued official letter to the Federal Ministry of Sports during that period, firmly establishing its existence and functional capacity.

Participants at the meeting unanimously agreed that credible elections remain the only legitimate means of restoring legality, credibility and confidence in the governance of Nigerian basketball.

It was further emphasized that the NBBF Constitution, under Article 20.4, mandates a minimum of 21 days’ notice for the Annual General Meeting (AGM), and that the AGM notice must be issued promptly in strict compliance with constitutional provisions.

 Stakeholders maintained that any attempt to delay elections or extend tenure outside the framework of the constitution is unacceptable.

While acknowledging the need for adequate preparation, stakeholders agreed that March 2026 represents the latest permissible window to conduct elections, provided that all constitutional processes commence without delay.

The meeting resolved that stakeholders would reconvene within days to finalize a clear election roadmap and ensure strict adherence to constitutional timelines.

In clarifying the roles of oversight bodies, the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Olympic Committee stressed that they are not imposing directives on the federation but are merely insisting on full compliance with the NBBF Constitution, which mandates elections at the end of every four-year tenure to prevent unlawful tenure elongation.

Stakeholders concluded that Nigerian basketball must return to transparent elections, constitutional governance and inclusive leadership to safeguard the integrity and future of the sport.