Follow Us on Google
By Joe Apu
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has directed the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to immediately set in motion all activities leading to its Elective Congress, following a comprehensive review of the federation’s governance status.
The directive was issued in Abuja during a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the NSC to examine the tenure and constitutional standing of the current NBBF Board.
Speaking at the meeting, Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, stated that documentary evidence presented by stakeholders conclusively established that the existing NBBF Board was fully operational between February and October 2022, during which it issued official directives to both the Federal Ministry of Sports and the international basketball governing body, FIBA.
According to the NSC, this confirmation eliminates any claims of a governance vacuum during that period and affirms that the Board’s tenure has been running continuously.
Based on these findings, the NSC declared that the tenure of the outgoing NBBF Board will formally expire on January 31, 2026, with no provision for extension.
To ensure a smooth and constitutional transition, the Commission directed NBBF President, Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, to convene a Board meeting on or before January 16 to draw up and publish a clear timetable for the federation’s Congress and elections.
The NSC stressed that the process must begin immediately in line with the provisions of the NBBF Constitution.
Stakeholders at the meeting further emphasized the requirements of Article 20.4 of the NBBF Constitution, which mandates a minimum of 21 days’ notice for the Annual General Meeting (AGM). They urged the federation to issue the notice without delay to avoid any breach of constitutional timelines.
While acknowledging the need for adequate preparation, the NSC noted that elections must be concluded within a reasonable timeframe, with March 2026 identified as the latest acceptable period, provided all constitutional procedures commence promptly.
The Commission reaffirmed that elections remain the only legitimate and lawful means of leadership transition in Nigerian basketball, warning that any attempt to delay or elongate tenure beyond constitutional limits would be unacceptable.
The Abuja meeting, the NSC said, marked a decisive step towards restoring constitutional order, transparency and confidence in basketball administration in Nigeria, as the Commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring strict compliance with established governance frameworks.
