Abuja:The Students Sports Federation of Nigeria (SSFON) and the Amalgamation of Regional Youth Organisations of Nigeria (ARYON) have jointly called for the reform of Nigerian basketball as the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) election approaches.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the groups issued a statement on Wednesday, emphasizing that the upcoming October 15 election should prioritize the future development of basketball rather than focusing on personalities, propaganda, and personal attacks.
The statement highlighted that leadership in the NBBF requires vision, capacity, integrity, innovation, and a commitment to building a sustainable basketball ecosystem. The groups stressed that experience should be leveraged to drive progress instead of causing stagnation within the federation.
They posed a fundamental question to delegates “What does each aspirant intend to build, and how will that vision be executed?” The groups rejected attempts to label younger aspirants with progressive ideas as “outsiders,” advocating for generational change as vital for institutional growth.
The statement further outlined priorities such as structured administration, institutional stability, grassroots development, sustainable domestic leagues, and modern sporting facilities. It also emphasized the need for improved athlete welfare, increased private sector investment, and clear pathways for young players to advance to elite competitions.
The groups expressed concern over character assassination and smear campaigns targeting younger aspirants. They addressed specific allegations that a leading young candidate had been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for corruption, clarifying that the candidate had voluntarily attended an EFCC invitation, provided explanations, and left without hindrance. They noted there were no pending corruption charges or official EFCC statements establishing wrongdoing against the candidate.
The organisations urged delegates to assess candidates based on manifestos, policy frameworks, administrative records, and strategic vision, arguing that professional or public service engagements should not disqualify candidates from leadership in sports federations. They called for a thorough examination of all aspirants’ records and plans to elect the candidate with the most credible development roadmap.
The groups expressed confidence that the election would bring institutional renewal, unity, private investment, talent development, and sustainable structures, marking a decisive shift towards purposeful development and restoring public confidence in Nigerian basketball. They emphasized the need for the sport to move beyond continuous contestation, stating, “The time to build, unite, develop, and win is now.”
Meanwhile, the News Agency of Nigeria reports that three candidates have formally declared interest in the NBBF Presidency Abdullahi Mustapha, the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), and former D’Tigers players Ejike Ugboaja and Olumide Oyedeji. The election is scheduled to take place in Abuja on October 15.