Joel Ajayi

For Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, basketball development is more than a passion—it is a responsibility shaped by years of personal involvement and a firm belief in the power of sport to transform young lives and communities.

Long before his emergence as Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Abdullahi had established a strong connection with basketball. His journey with the sport spans more than a decade, beginning with his days as a player in Kano State and later evolving into sustained support for emerging talents, teams and grassroots basketball initiatives.

That history is significant because his commitment to basketball did not begin with public office. It grew from personal participation and a conviction that the future of Nigerian basketball must be built from the grassroots.

For Abdullahi, some of the challenges confronting Nigerian basketball at the elite level can be traced to gaps in grassroots development. Talented youngsters require access to proper facilities, regular competitions, mentorship and opportunities to showcase their abilities. Without these foundations, many promising players risk being lost before they can fulfil their potential.

This philosophy has informed a number of his interventions, particularly in Kano, where he supported the construction of a basketball court and sponsored a tournament, including the logistics and resources required to stage the competition.

Such initiatives go beyond the immediate excitement of a tournament. A functional court remains a community asset, providing young people with a place to train, compete, socialise and discover their potential.

The same philosophy is reflected in the activities of the DAM Foundation, especially its Annual Basketball Championship in Okene, Kogi State, held every December.

What began as a basketball initiative has grown into a wider platform for youth engagement, talent discovery, community interaction and empowerment.

Basketball remains at the heart of the championship, but its impact extends beyond the court. The competition brings young people together, encourages positive interaction and gives emerging players an opportunity to gain valuable competitive experience and visibility.

The championship has also attracted prominent entertainers, including Davido and comedians, creating a connection between sport, entertainment and youth culture that has helped draw wider attention to grassroots basketball.

Beyond sports, the DAM Foundation has extended its interventions to social welfare and empowerment. Its programmes have reached grassroots communities through medical assistance, scholarships, business grants and other forms of support.

Employment facilitation and personal welfare assistance have also featured in Abdullahi’s broader efforts to help young people overcome barriers to economic productivity and build more sustainable futures.

His support for basketball teams in Abuja further illustrates the approach. His relationship with the GVBF (Great Vibes Basketball Foundation) team has gone beyond funding sporting activities to include attention to players’ welfare and personal challenges.

The philosophy is simple: developing an athlete requires more than improving performance on the court. It also requires investment in the person behind the jersey.

Infrastructure is another important pillar of the approach. A properly built and maintained basketball court can become a lasting community asset, creating opportunities for young people to train, compete, form friendships and discover their abilities.

The broader development model therefore rests on interconnected pillars—talent discovery, competition, infrastructure, mentorship, welfare and empowerment.

Together, these create a pathway through which a young person can move from simply playing basketball to developing a meaningful future through sport and other productive pursuits.

The approach is particularly relevant in Nigeria, where millions of young people possess enormous potential but often lack access to platforms capable of developing that potential.

Grassroots sport can provide such a platform. It can identify talent early, keep young people positively engaged and open doors to educational, professional and sporting opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach.

For Abdullahi, that is the deeper purpose of basketball development.

It is not merely about producing better players or winning tournaments. It is about using the popularity and unifying power of basketball to touch lives, strengthen communities and give young Nigerians the confidence to believe in their abilities.

His record of involvement also offers a perspective on leadership in basketball. His commitment to the sport was established years before his current national assignment, while his present position provides an additional platform for service.

Ultimately, the future of Nigerian basketball will not be built only at national competitions or through elite teams. It will be shaped on community courts, at local tournaments and wherever young players are given the opportunity to be discovered, guided and developed.

That is where the DAM Foundation’s grassroots philosophy finds its strongest expression: catch them young, provide the platform, nurture the talent and give the next generation a pathway to something greater.

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