Basketball

NBBF Elections: NSC Issues Major Policy Ruling, Halting Musa Kida’s Third-Term Bid

Published

10 months ago

December 1, 2025

By Chinedum Ohanusi

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has fired a decisive and devastating salvo that has all but ended the schemings by incumbent President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Engr. Musa Ahmadu Kida for a tenure elongation, and an unprecedented 3rd term for those serving in the current board.

The directive by the NSC, as widely circulated in virtually all known media outlets in the country, firmly shut the doors, against speculations of an attempt by some members of the highly divided NBBF Board, to circumvent the letter and spirit of their own constitution, which was recently fortified, in an effort to have divergent interests and stakeholders, on one page.

In a formal letter addressed to the NBBF President, Engr. Kida, the NSC made its stance unequivocally clear, by stating that “no federation president or member of a board, can seek a third term in office”.

The same letter added that, “and for the avoidance of doubt, the next NBBF elections are locked in for January 2026—not a day later”.

With that, the Commission, which apparently acted on a similar guideline released by the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has effectively closed the chapter, on any further talk of a tenure extension, or manoeuvres for an unprecedented 3rd term, for a President of the NBBF.

According to insider sources, the NSC hierarchy we understand moved quickly to silence swelling uncertainty over the federation’s electoral timetable and growing rumours that Engr. Kida who was first elected in 2017 and now in the wee weeks of his second four-year tenure, was considering stretching his stay beyond constitutional limits.

Sports Day has it on good authority that some power blocs had floated an alternative expiration date of October 2026, pointing to the August 5th inauguration by the then Sports Minister, Chief Sunday Dare, in Abuja.

But the NSC also shot that one down, by asserting that the board’s legitimacy traces back to the January 31, 2022 election in Benin City, conducted under strict FIBA supervision, and the elected officers sworn-in immediately after.

Although, Engr Kida who also assumed duties, as non-executive chairman of the NNPC Limited has not openly said he is seeking a third term in office, his body language, and unwillingness to ingite the process for the elections, which should hold in two months time.

Vice President of the NBBF, Babatunde Ogunade, who Chaired the panel that reviewed the constitution of the body, with a view to reunite the factions, has on many occasions stated that the constitution doesn’t have a place for third term and that, he was certain that Engr. Kida is not seeking an extension to his stay as the NBBF boss.

But speaking with sports journalists in Abuja, not long ago, after an event at the National Institute for Sports, the Borno-born administrator, whose popularity has fallen to an all-time low, refused to categorically deny his “inordinate ambition”, as some stakeholders have called it.

With this directive, the basketball community in Nigeria waits to see one thing—whether the NBBF will toe the constitutional line or test the resolve of the country’s highest sports authority, the NSC. Either way, the countdown to 2026 has officially begun.

Share on Facebook

Basketball

Fresh Ideas, Science Needed to Revitalise Basketball —ABA

Published

5 days ago

September 27, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

President/Founder, Amateur Basketball Academies, ABA, Aliyu Lucky Abubakar has called for a scientific and pragmatic approach to rediscovering the game of basketball in the North East.

The former player of many teams in Nigeria stated this on Saturday during training of coaches in Yola, Adamawa State.

Aliyu said the training is aimed to arm Coaches so they can, in turn, reach the children, especially those that ABA may not. The Deputy Comptroller in Nigeria Customs Service decried non-challant attitudes of the stakeholders in the development of basketball in the North East.

” Basketball is fading in the North East, and we at ABA will not allow it to die.”

“Adamawa was once a force in the game of basketball but had fallen behind. Our plan is to discover talent through coaching training, nurture it, and carry it from state level to the national team, and eventually, the global stage.” The basketball administrator said.

In his keynote message to the participants, which centered on the theme, “HOPE,” Harnessing opportunity, Organising for excellence, Promoting players’ development, and Empowering the next generation, Aliyu said, is far more than a drill instructors.

” Every child you see on a basketball court has a dream, and it is our job as a coach to spot it early and give it somewhere to go.” He concluded.

In his lecture titled, ” Who is a Coach”, Emmanuel Odah, the head Coach, FCT Basketball and former National Juniors team, described a coach as a committed, organised, affectionate, caring and humble.

” Commitment is consistency, and consistency is mother of progress; humility comes first because a coach who can not control himself can never control a game,” Odah insisted.

Other instructors at the training include ABA head of technical, Coach Adeka Daudu, as well as Coach Alexander Anyebe Ujoh, who spoke about the relationship between a coach and child in his care.

Coaches at the training commended ABA for its boldness to give hopes to basketball coaches all over the country. They promised that lessons learned would reshape and reset their mind on the job. They said the training will help them in understanding their role not only as an instructor but also grooming the children for a better future.

Among guests at the event include FCT Acting Director of Sports, Mr. Iyiola Ogundele and Bayelsa Veteran Basketball administrator, Coach Tony

Share on Facebook