Ahmedu upbeat about Nigerian basketball after Abuja meeting of stakeholders

After years of administrative crises, court battles, and fractured leadership, Nigerian basketball may finally be stepping into a new era of stability and purpose.

Retired Colonel Sam Ahmedu, President of FIBA Africa Zone 3 and one of Nigeria’s most influential basketball administrators, believes the long night is ending for the sport.

Speaking after a landmark stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, Ahmedu declared that peace is returning—not through force or sentiment, but through structure, dialogue, and respect for the law.

At the centre of the renewed optimism was a crucial meeting convened under the supervision of the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, where key stakeholders spoke with one voice for the first time in years.

 “This is a fresh tip-off,” Ahmedu stated, describing the meeting as the foundation for rebuilding the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).

Ahmedu emphasized that order must come before emotion, insisting that Nigerian basketball can no longer afford shortcuts or power struggles.

The proposed NBBF Elective Congress, targeted for on or before March 31, remains the focal point of the reset.

“We want to follow the law and do things in an orderly manner,” he said. “The constitution is for us—we can adjust—but we must not violate it.”

He also called for calm across the basketball community, stressing that the rebuild must prioritise legitimacy and inclusiveness over haste.

Highlighting the importance of credibility, Ahmedu singled out former NBA player and national team captain Olumide Oyedeji as a key asset in the rebuilding process, describing his experience and integrity as invaluable.

With stakeholder unity, institutional backing from the NSC and NOC, a clear election timeline, and experienced basketball minds back at the table, Nigerian basketball now has a roadmap toward restoration.