NBBF Leadership Dispute Deepens Amid Calls for Congress and New Elections

NBBF Leadership Dispute Deepens Amid Calls for Congress and New Elections

By Niyi Busari 

Seven members of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) board on Monday addressed a press conference in Abuja, declaring that the tenure of the current board officially expired on January 31, 2026, and calling for immediate steps toward a new elective congress, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Those present at the briefing included International Representative Col. Sam Ahmadu (Rtd); Prof. Adeyanju (NAWIS representative); Olumide Bamiduro (representing NAPHERD SD, replacing Yakashai, who resigned to join the Boxing Federation); Adamu Deshi the North Central Rep; Technical Representative Scot Nnaji; and South-West Representative Olumide Oyedeji and Suraj Yusuf representing the North East.

Tenure Dispute

Speaking on behalf of the group, Col. Ahmadu (Rtd) said the briefing was convened to address what he described as widespread misinformation surrounding the federation’s leadership status.

“We decided to hold this press briefing because there is so much information out there—some factual and some concocted,” he said. “It is important to put things in proper perspective. This is not a campaign for anyone but an effort by members of the outgoing board to set the record straight.”

According to him, the NBBF constitution stipulates that the board’s tenure begins immediately after members are sworn in following an elective congress. He argued that the tenure commenced after the January 31, 2022 election in Edo State and therefore expired on January 31, 2026.

He maintained that there is no constitutional provision requiring further inauguration by the Ministry of Sports to validate the start of tenure. “Inauguration does not override the Constitution as the determinant of tenure commencement,” he said.

Ahmadu added that the minutes and communiqué of the 2022 elective congress were duly sent to FIBA and the Ministry of Sports, describing them as “incontrovertible.” He noted that FIBA formally congratulated the board in February 2022 and that Nigeria’s women’s national team, D’Tigress, competed internationally shortly thereafter under the leadership of the board elected in Edo.

Governance Concerns

The board members also raised concerns about internal governance since 2022. Ahmadu alleged that the president had not convened congress meetings as required.

Citing provisions of the NBBF constitution, he said Congress is the supreme authority of the federation and must be convened at least four times a year. He claimed that no congress meetings had been called since 2022 and that the last board meeting was held in 2024.

Among other issues raised were the alleged absence of an official federation bank account and claims of conflict of interest in relation to a kit sponsorship arrangement involving the former president and the head of the marketing committee.

The group further alleged that two board members—the Technical Representative, Scot Nnaji, and Players’ Representative Stanley Gumut—were removed from the board.

Government Intervention and Petition to FIBA

Ahmadu disclosed that the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, recently convened a stakeholders’ meeting where it was agreed that the board’s tenure had elapsed and that steps should be taken to facilitate a transition.

According to him, the federation’s leadership was advised to convene a board meeting and set a date for an elective congress on or before March 31.

He stressed that any extension of tenure would require the approval of Congress, not unilateral action. “If the former president wants an extension of tenure, he cannot do it alone. It must be approved by Congress,” he said, adding that the Nigerian government would not support actions he described as unconstitutional.

The group confirmed that a petition has been submitted to FIBA, requesting that the global basketball body empower the National Sports Commission to oversee the federation’s affairs and conduct fresh elections. The letter is currently under review by FIBA’s legal department.

“The board is gone, but the Congress remains,” Ahmadu concluded, expressing hope that clarity from FIBA would pave the way for a smooth transition in Nigerian basketball administration.