By Ado Salisu
The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has constituted a seven-member Electoral Committee and a three-member Elections Appeals Committee ahead of its October 15 elective congress.
The decisions were taken at an Extraordinary Congress of the federation held at City Green Hotel, Yola, Adamawa State, on Thursday, September 25, 2026.
At the meeting, NBBF President, Engineer Ahmadu Musa Kida, said he would not seek a third term in office, putting to rest speculation over his political future in the federation.
“Contrary to news making the rounds about my ambitions, I have never been part of subverting the NBBF approved constitution in seeking a third term,” Kida told the 39 delegates at the congress.
He said his administration would ensure a “free, fair and transparent election” for the board that would oversee the federation from 2026 to 2030.
Kida also urged aspirants for the various positions to conduct their campaigns with dignity.
“I urge all those interested in elective positions to feel free to contest. All politicking should be done with honour and dignity. We must avoid derogatory and defamatory comments against each other,” he said.
The congress approved October 15, 2026, for the elective congress in Abuja at 10am.
It also approved that elections into positions for Technical Representatives, Players Representatives and other affiliate bodies would take place between October 7 and 14 in Abuja.
The seven-member Electoral Committee is chaired by Dr Lanre Glover. Other members are Sister Femi Olugbile, Alhaji Sani Fema, Engineer Priscilla Ngozi Iroaganachi, Major General David Lubo and Mallam Farouk Yarma, while Barrister Ichene Kalu will serve as secretary.
The three-member Elections Appeals Committee has Barrister Emmanuel Okibe as chairman, Ms Chichi Nwoko as member and Mr Emmanuel Zira as secretary.
The congress also considered reports on the activities and finances of the federation.
Financial reports for 2024, 2025 and 2026 were presented and approved by the delegates, while an updated activities report by the Secretary-General was also approved.
Kida, while addressing the congress, expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as the fulfilment of promises made to D’Tigress following the team’s fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title.
He also commended the leadership of the National Sports Commission, including its chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director-General, Chief Bukola Olopade, for their support for Nigerian basketball.
The NBBF president further thanked the Adamawa State Government, the state Basketball Association and the sports directorate for hosting the extraordinary congress at short notice.
The congress comes amid disagreements among stakeholders over the administration and electoral process of the federation.
Kida said the NBBF had faced several challenges since 2017 but had emerged stronger from them.
“The Federation has always come out stronger on each occasion,” he told delegates.
With the electoral committees now in place and the elective congress scheduled for October 15, attention is expected to shift to the candidates seeking positions on the NBBF board for the 2026-2030 tenure.
