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Tag: Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF)

  • Zenith Bank/NBBF Women Premier League  Phase Two begins  today

    Zenith Bank/NBBF Women Premier League  Phase Two begins  today

    The Phase Two of the 2025 Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Women Premier League, sponsored by the Zenith Bank PLC, is expected to get underway at the University of Ilorin Multi-Purpose Sports Centre, Ilorin, today .

    The second phase, which is the Atlantic Conference, will end on September 1, 2025.

    The Chairperson of the Women Basketball Premier League, Perpetua Clement, confirmed the federation’s readiness to adhere to the dates.

    According to Perpetua, necessary machinery has been put in place for a hitch-free completion at the Atlantic Conference of the Women League, with the Savannah Conference billed for Jos, the Plateau State capital.

    In the 1st phase which took place in Benin, defending Champions, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Basketball team and First Bank, had a good run against others like Dolphins, Bayelsa Blue Whales, and First Deep Waters.

    In the Savannah Conference, Air Warriors and Plateau Rocks are the high fliers in a group which also has Customs, Kada Angels, HAM Warriors, Titans, Royal Aces and Nasarawa Amazons.  

    Read Also: NFF urged to secure 18-year-old Nigeria-Argentina born River Plate star Jonathan Asuzu

    The Savannah Conference second Phase also starts  today in Jo’s.

    The sponsor of the league, Zenith Bank, has assured stakeholders that the organisation is ready to continue its commitment to the development of the game in Nigeria.

    Group Managing Director and CEO of Zenith Bank, Dame Adaora Umeoji, stated that the sponsors are always proud of the league which over the years has produced results for Nigeria.

    “We look forward to the second phase because that is where the finalists will emerge. We are working towards making the tournament better every year,” Umeoji said in a statement.

    The NBBF President, Musa Kida, confirmed that the final 8 billed for Lagos in which the best eight teams from the two conferences will vie for the title, will hold between September  14 and 18.

  • NBBF takes  2025 NBPL’s Phase 1 & 2 to Port Harcourt  

    NBBF takes  2025 NBPL’s Phase 1 & 2 to Port Harcourt  

    The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has named Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as one of four venues to stage the forthcoming 2025 Nigeria Basketball Premier League (NBPL).

    In a letter dated 19th  August, 2025, and addressed to all participating clubs, the NBBF announced Port Harcourt as the only city to host both Phase I and Phase II of the league’s new format, which will see action between all sixteen (16) participating teams broken down into four phases (Group, Inter-Group, Playoff, and Final Four) across the Savannah and Atlantic Conferences.

    The Indoor Basketball Court, on 54 Niger Street, Port Harcourt Township, which is home to defending champions Rivers Hoopers BC, will also welcome Delta Force, Oluyole Warriors, and Kwara Falcons in Group B of the Atlantic Conference.

    Ibadan, Oyo State, will host Group A games in the Atlantic Conference, which will see Ebun Comets, Police Batons, Lagos Legends, as well as Hoops & Read, go head-to-head at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba.

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    In the Savannah Conference, the Moshood Abiola National stadium, Abuja, will be the centre of action for Group A teams – Nile University, Nigeria Customs, Gboko Chiefs, and Correctional Service – while Group B games between Kano Pillars, Plateau Peaks, Gombe Bulls, and Bauchi Nets will hold at the Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium, Kano, Kano State.

    All teams are expected to arrive at their various centres between 26 and 27 August, with match action to hold from 28 August to 3 September, after which follows a period of rest before the commencement of the Inter-Group Phase (II).

    The Inter-Group Phase, scheduled for 24 September – 5 October, will once again see Port Harcourt play host, this time to all eight (8) teams in the Atlantic Conference, while all teams from the Savannah Conference will converge at the National Indoor Sports Hall, Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State.

    Venues for the Playoffs and Final 4 are yet to be named.

    The latest development means Port Harcourt, Rivers State, will host Premier League Basketball games for the third straight year, having also hosted the finals of the 2023 and 2024 NBPL seasons.

  • NBBF confirms Wakama, Musa for Afrobasket

    NBBF confirms Wakama, Musa for Afrobasket

    Vice President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Babs Ogunade, has confirmed that D’Tigress head coach Rena Wakama and Phoenix Mercury centre Murjanatu Musa will be available for the 2025 Women’s Afrobasket in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire , despite their active roles in the ongoing WNBA season.

    The 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket is scheduled to take place from July 22 to August 3 at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan. Nigeria will be aiming for a record-extending fifth consecutive Afrobasket title.

    Concerns had been raised among basketball fans about Wakama’s availability, as she is currently serving as an assistant coach with the WNBA’s Chicago Sky. Similarly, Murjanatu Musa is part of the Phoenix Mercury roster, having joined the team after completing her club duties in France with Tarbes Gespe Bigorre.

    With both teams likely to be active deep into the WNBA regular season, there were fears that Nigeria’s key personnel could miss the continental championship.

    However, Ogunade put those fears to rest.

     “Yes, she (Rena Wakama) will be available for the Afrobasket. All our players will be available, including Murjanatu Musa,” Ogunade told Bold Sports.

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    Ogunade also revealed that preparations are in top gear, with the training camp for the D’Tigress set to begin soon. The NBBF has opted for an open camp system, just like before the 2023 Women’s Afrobasket, rather than sending direct invitations to established players.

     “Camping will start very soon because we don’t have much time left. There will be an open camp for all the players, and we’re expecting new talents to join as well,” Ogunade said.

     “The coach (Wakama) will have a lot of work to do in selecting the best team. We’re also planning a homecoming tournament in Abuja to get the players in top form ahead of the Afrobasket. It’s going to be a busy period for both the players and the coaching crew.”

    As part of its build-up to the tournament, the Nigeria Basketball Federation will host a three-nation ‘Homecoming Tournament’ from July 18 to 20 at the MO Arena in Abuja. The mini-tournament will see D’Tigress face off against Kenya and Togo.

    Nigeria’s D’Tigress are the defending champions, having won the last four editions of the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023.

  • D’Tigress, NBBF presents Afrobasket trophy to Minister of Sports

    THE victorious D’Tigress team and some members of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) board led by its president, Engineer Musa Kida paid a courtesy call on the newly appointed Minister of Sport, Dare Sunday in his office in Abuja.

    The brief ceremony which had in attendance the Permanent Secretary and high ranking officials of the Ministry of Sports saw the presentation of the 2019 Afrobasket Women trophy to the Honorable Minister.

    While presenting the trophy, NBBF President, Engr Kida described the occasion as a significant one which marks the beginning of many things to come for the new minister. He said the courtesy call was the federation’s way of welcoming the Minister to office while celebrating the 2019 Afrobasket feat with him as the number one sports administrator in the country.

    “We are glad as a federation that we are the first to welcome the new minister to office with a trophy which we won in Senegal. This is not just another event for us as NBBF, it is a landmark achievement as we have been presented with such a golden opportunity to interface personally with the Minister.”

    Kida said at a crucial time like this with many international events to prosecute, it was imperative for the NBBF board to visit the minister so he could have firsthand information about what is happening in the federation.

    Read Also: Buhari congratulates female basketball team, D’Tigress

    “Our men are in China and we all know how they got there. The women are the current African Champions. So, we needed to see the Minister and tell him about our plight. We are quite hopeful with the meeting we had with the Minister that things can only get better.”

    While addressing the team, Sunday said, “Basketball has come to stay in this country. You serve as ambassador for other girls and for the youth that we want to develop. I want to thank you for this victory. Nigerians want to thank you for this back-to-back victory.”

    He challenged the NBBF board and the D’Tigress not to relent on their effort stressing that the result of hard work is more work.

    “We want more laurels. The government of President Muhammadu Buhari will continue to give the D’Tigress the support it needs both financially and otherwise. You heard how the president followed the games and at some point once we have a confirmed date, D’Tigress will be in Abuja and I will lead them to present the cup to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Present at the event were the duo of D’Tigress players, Sarah Imovbioh and Kunaiyi Pallas Akpannah who represented the team while the NBBF had in attendance, Babatunde Ogunade, Col Sam Ahmedu (rtd) and Alhaji Abba Kaka.

  • NBBF donates food items to orphanage

    NBBF donates food items to orphanage

    The Tijani Umar-led board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation ( NBBF ) has donated foodstuffs, detergents, toiletries and beverages to the Nasarawa Orphanage Home in Kano.

    Umar told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Kaduna that the gesture was part of the board’s philosophy of reaching out to the less-privileged.

    He said that the items were jointly purchased by the federation’s board members, comprising past and present basketball players and technical officials.

    Umar, on behalf of the NBBF said the Community Outreach Service was part of the board’s activities in the ongoing Kwese Premier Basketball League Final 8 Championship at the Indoor Hall of the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.

    “Today, we identify with the less-privileged to show that we care and willing to support them to aspire and become great in life.

    “This is important to us because we want to contribute to their lives and encourage as well as motivate them to look up to these players and aspire to be like them.

    “Life is all about give and take and we really appreciate and thank the management of the home for taking care of the children.”

    He said the items were delivered to the orphanage by D’Tigers player and Captain of Mark Mentors Abuja, Stanley Gumut.

    Umar pledged more gifts to the orphanage as the board was planning to build a basketball court for the home.

    “We plan to return to the home and build a basketball court, so that they can be motivated and develop interest in basketball.”

    Hajiya Lauriya Sagir, while receiving the items on behalf of the Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the management of the home, described the visit as hope for the children.

    “Today, the children see these players as role models and it has given them hope in life to aspire for a better future.”

  • No crisis in Basketball federation, says President

    No crisis in Basketball federation, says President

    The President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Musa Kida, said on Thursday that there was no crisis in the federation.

    Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, Kida said the crisis was merely a perception of the public.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on June 12, the National Sports Federations Elections for NBBF had two elections one in Kano and another in Abuja.

    The Kano election had Tijani Umar emerge as the president while Kida emerged as president in the Abuja election.

    The Minster of Sports, Solomon Dalung, however, annulled the Kano election on the grounds that it had no backing of the ministry or the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

    FIBA Africa in their letter to the NOC said specifically that it did not recognise any of the two groups, but would send correspondence to only the Musa Kida group.

    The body also gave the NOC and NBBF November as deadline to resolve their differences.

    The NBBF president said, however, that there had been no complaint against any individual in the basketball circle.

    “The perception that there is a crisis is in the minds of a few stakeholders. I don’t see what is happening as crisis,’’ he said.

    On the issue of the letter from FIBA Africa, Kida said that the letter recognised him as the president since they (FIBA) agreed to correspond with him.

    “If you look at the letter, it concluded everything by agreeing to send correspondence through my board and this I think is a proof of acceptance,’’ he said.

    No crisis in Basketball federation, says President

    The President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Musa Kida, said on Thursday that there was no crisis in the federation.

    Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, Kida said the crisis was merely a perception of the public.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on June 12, the National Sports Federations Elections for NBBF had two elections one in Kano and another in Abuja.

    The Kano election had Tijani Umar emerge as the president while Kida emerged as president in the Abuja election.

    The Minster of Sports, Solomon Dalung, however, annulled the Kano election on the grounds that it had no backing of the ministry or the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

    FIBA Africa in their letter to the NOC said specifically that it did not recognise any of the two groups, but would send correspondence to only the Musa Kida group.

    The body also gave the NOC and NBBF November as deadline to resolve their differences.

    The NBBF president said, however, that there had been no complaint against any individual in the basketball circle.

    “The perception that there is a crisis is in the minds of a few stakeholders. I don’t see what is happening as crisis,’’ he said.

    On the issue of the letter from FIBA Africa, Kida said that the letter recognised him as the president since they (FIBA) agreed to correspond with him.

    “If you look at the letter, it concluded everything by agreeing to send correspondence through my board and this I think is a proof of acceptance,’’ he said.

     

  • Basketball: You’ve elevated Nigeria’s status globally, envoy tells D’Tigress

    Basketball: You’ve elevated Nigeria’s status globally, envoy tells D’Tigress

    Mr Ken Nwachukwu, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mali, has hailed the Musa Kida-led Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and the National  Women Senior Basketball Team for raising Nigeria’s global status at the 2017 FIBA Afrobasket

    D’Tigress were unbeaten in their  seven matches to the final of the continental championship.

    This was made known on Sunday in an electronic mail sent by NBBF to the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Abuja.

    NAN reports the girls defeated formidable teams, including defending champion, Senegal and the hosts Mali, 48-47 points in their semi-final match on Saturday in Bamako.

    Nigeria will have a duel on the court against Senegal again on Sunday, having defeated them in a group match by 58-54 points on Thursday.

    Nwachukwu commended NBBF and D’Tigress during their courtesy visit to the Nigerian Embassy in Bamako, Mali.

    During interaction with the tram,  led by NBBF President Kida, some board members and D’Tigress, the envoy  said sport was an element of power.

    “In international relations, there is something we call elements of power, they include population, education, minerals, human resources and sports.

    “Given your accomplishment at this tournament, you have become part of the power projection of our country, Nigeria,” he said.

    The ambassador, at a dinner for the team, said resounding victories recorded after their group games had not gone unnoticed on the streets of Bamako and throughout Africa.

    “Your gallantry has again confirmed the giant status of Nigeria on the continent,” he noted.

    He praised the new NBBF board for assembling a crop of dedicated players and a sound technical crew which had not only shown commitment to duty but also defended integrity of the country.

    He added that the Federal Government was aware of their patriotism.

    “Let me inform you that the President, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari is aware that you are here.

    Despite just returning to the country recently, in his usual meticulous self, he knows you are here on international assignment and he is monitoring your progress,” he said.

    Nwachukwu urged the team to sustain their winning streak throughout the tournament.

    He added that if the momentum showed by the current board was maintained, Nigeria’s basketball would soon become a reference point in the world.

    “Coming to Mali and going unbeaten is part of power projection. When you walk as a Nigerian on the streets of Bamako, you walk as a star by what you have done.”

    He added that if the momentum showed by the board was maintained, Nigeria’s basketball would soon become a reference point in the world.

    Responding, the NBBF president said the dominant performance of the team was due to the new policy statement of his board on athletes’ welfare after their swearing-in.

    “In fulfilment of our mandate as a board, Nigerian players all over the world are our clients because without them there will be no basketball federation.

    “Players are now free to express their opinion and table their grievances which has given them a new status.

    “They now see themselves as an integral part of the system rather than just mere tools in the hands of administrators.”

    “The accommodation arrangements during their weeklong camping and prompt payment of their entitlements, have shown that players welfare is paramount to the new NBBF.

    “Players and the coaching crew have nothing to worry about than just to play basketball,” Kida said.

    He later presented Nwachukwu with a replica jersey of the team during the event.

  • Afrobasket: NBBF President in Mali to boost D’Tigress morale

    Afrobasket: NBBF President in Mali to boost D’Tigress morale

    Musa Kida, President, Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), has arrived in Mali on Thursday to boost the morale of D’Tigress ahead of their quarter-final match of the 2017 Women Afrobasket Championship on Friday.

    “The NBBF President, Kida, will touch down in Bamako, Mali on Thursday ahead of Friday’s game against Cote d’Ivoire to boost the mood in the camp of the D’Tigress,’’ an NBBF statement said in Abuja on Friday.

    The NBBF President and sports lovers in the country have commended the impressive performance of D’Tigress against their age-long rivals, Senegal, in the match on Wednesday.

    The last Group B match between the two teams ended 54-58 points in favour of Nigeria.

    The statement also said that the team’s Coach, Sam Vincent, as well as the players had reacted to their victory against Senegal in a match dubbed “Final before final’’.

    Vincent said they needed to keep celebrations to the barest minimum ahead of the crunchy quarter-final tie against Cote d’Ivoire that finished fourth in their group.

    It said that Peter Ahmedu, the first Assistant Coach, praised the girls for defying all odds and showing a commendable level of resilience to maintain their lead till the end of the game.

    It attributed the victory to due diligence and scouting reports put together by the technical crew.

    “We were able to study the Senegalese off and on the court. The style we deployed was a different ball game to what they expected and it was very helpful,’’ the statement said.

    It added that Senegal, the defending champions, were under a lot of pressure during the match.

    NAN reports that Senegal did not recover from the debilitating injury inflicted by D’Tigress in the first two quarters that ended 26-34 points in spite of enjoying huge support from their Francophone fans.

    Evelyn Akhator, star player of the match, was not deterred on the night in spite of the massive support for the opponents by a horde of Senegalese fans and by their French speaking hosts Mali.

    The Dallas Wings player led by example with 15 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal as the team confirmed it’s superiority over the Senegalese they defeated at the group stage of the 2015 edition.

    Also, Atonye Nyingifa contributed with 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 points, Adaora Elonu gave the team 10 points, 4 assists and 5 rebounds.

    Similarly, inspiring Kalu Ezinne, who was all over the court dictating the tempo, helped with 11 points.

    The Nigerian team is expected by fans at home and abroad to return the nation to its days of glory in Women AfroBasket.

  • Sports Ministry declares NBBF’s election in Kano illegal

    Sports Ministry declares NBBF’s election in Kano illegal

    The Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports on Monday in Abuja said the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) elections held in Kano same day was illegal.

    Nneka Ikem-Anibeze, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Solomon Dalung, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja the elections were held by a faction of the Federation’s stakeholders.

    Ikem-Anibeze said the NBBF elections held in Kano were conducted by a faction led by the immediate-past president of the Federation, Tijani Umar, and was as such illegal.

    She said this was because the elections in Kano had no backing of the Ministry.

    “The NBBF will hold elections on Tuesday, alongside 31 other sports federations in Abuja,” the minister’s aide said.

    NAN reports that the elections saw Umar, the North-East representative, emerging as President, while Olumide Oyedeji, FIBA World Representative, emerged as Vice-President.

    The June 12 elections in Kano came ahead of the one being organised by the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports in Abuja.

    The ministry had fixed Tuesday for elections into all boards of the national sports federations in the country, with all the federations expected to comply.

    But a disagreement had emerged over the issue of whether or not the ministry has the right to draw up guidelines for the federations.

    NAN reports that the federations are, according to international sports federations’ standards, to be run by constitution/statutes/guidelines duly agreed to by all stakeholders in the federation.

    NBBF had earlier insisted it would conduct its elections based on the guideline prescribed by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the basketball world governing body.

  • NBBF Premiership: Kwara Falcons beat Oluyole Warriors 77-68

    Kwara Falcons Basketball Club of Ilorin on Thursday continued their impressive start to the new Nigerian basketball premier league season with a 77-68 victory over Oluyole Warriors of Ibadan.

    Kwara Falcons’ victory was their sixth win of the season from seven games in the 2017 Men’s Basketball Premier League being sponsored by Kwese Sports.

    The Ilorin-based team started the game well from the start, winning the first quarter 28 points to 18.

    The visitors improved in the second quarter adding 21 points to their haul, while the hosts only managed to score 15 points to finish it 43-39.

    Kwara Falcons fought very hard in the third quarter to regain dominance, scoring 17 points in the half against Oluyole’s 13 to finish the quarter 60-52.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both sides added 17 and 16 points respectively to the third quarter results to finish the fourth quarter and the game 77-68.

    NAN recalls that Kwara Falcons have only lost 60-66 against Rivers Hoopers this season.

    The competition is being organised by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).