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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, on his emergence as President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), urging him to leverage his leadership experience to strengthen the administration of the sport and expand opportunities for young Nigerian talents.
The President described Abdullahi’s emergence as an opportunity to advance basketball development in Nigeria, improve the federation’s administration and create an environment that enables Nigerian players to excel at national and international levels.
Tinubu made this known in a statement issued on Friday, October 16, 2026, by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
He urged the new NBBF president to prioritise athletes’ welfare, effective talent identification and the development of both men’s and women’s basketball as essential pillars for the sustained growth of the sport.
The President also called on players, coaches, administrators, sponsors and other stakeholders to rally behind the new leadership and work collectively towards building a stronger, more competitive and professionally managed federation.
He emphasised the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in advancing the sport and creating more opportunities for young Nigerian talents to excel at national and international levels.
Tinubu further reaffirmed the Federal Government’s recognition of sports as an important platform for youth empowerment, national unity and international engagement, while wishing Abdullahi a successful tenure.
“I wish the new NBBF Boss a successful tenure and assure him of the Federal Government’s continued recognition of sports as an important platform for youth empowerment, national unity and international engagement,” the President said.
Abdullahi’s emergence as NBBF president presents an opportunity to strengthen grassroots basketball, improve athletes’ welfare and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the sport. His administration is expected to work with stakeholders to advance basketball development and create a more enabling environment for players across the country.
