Seven members of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) board addressed a press conference in Abuja on Monday, declaring that the tenure of the current board officially expired on January 31, 2026, and calling for immediate action to organize a new elective congress.
The members, including International Representative Col. Sam Ahmadu (Rtd), Prof. Adeyanju, and other regional and technical representatives, gathered to set the record straight on the federation’s leadership status, which they claim has been surrounded by widespread misinformation.
Clarifying the Tenure Dispute
Speaking on behalf of the group, Col. Ahmadu emphasized that the NBBF’s constitution clearly defines the start and end of a board’s tenure, which begins immediately after the election in an elective congress. The 2022 election, held in Edo State, marked the commencement of the current board’s tenure, which expired on January 31, 2026.
“We decided to hold this press briefing because there is so much information out there—some factual and some concocted,” Ahmadu said. “It is important to put things in proper perspective.”
Ahmadu also stated that there is no constitutional provision requiring further inauguration by the Ministry of Sports to validate the start of the tenure. He insisted that the minutes and communiqué from the 2022 election were officially sent to FIBA and the Ministry of Sports, validating the board’s legitimacy.
Governance Concerns and Internal Disputes
The group raised multiple concerns about internal governance since 2022, particularly the failure to convene regular congress meetings, as mandated by the NBBF constitution. Ahmadu criticized the president for not holding congress meetings, which are required at least four times a year, and stated that the last official board meeting was held in 2024.
The group also highlighted other governance issues, including the absence of an official NBBF bank account and alleged conflicts of interest, particularly involving a kit sponsorship arrangement linked to the former president and the marketing committee head.
Another point of contention was the removal of board members, including Technical Representative Scot Nnaji and Players’ Representative Stanley Gumut, without proper process.
Government Intervention and Petition to FIBA
In a recent development, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, convened a stakeholders’ meeting where it was agreed that the board’s tenure had expired and immediate steps should be taken to facilitate a transition.
The meeting also advised the NBBF leadership to convene a board meeting and set a date for an elective congress no later than March 31, 2026. Ahmadu stressed that any extension of tenure would require Congress’s approval, warning that unilateral action would not be supported by the government.
As a result, the group has submitted a formal petition to FIBA, asking that the global basketball body empower the National Sports Commission to oversee the federation’s affairs and conduct fresh elections. The petition is currently under review by FIBA’s legal department.
Looking Ahead
While the board members hope that clarity from FIBA will facilitate a smooth transition in Nigerian basketball, the immediate focus for the NBBF will be organizing a new congress and ensuring a fair process for electing new leadership. The group concluded by reaffirming the importance of restoring transparency and proper governance to the federation.
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