Director-general of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olopade, has charged board members, officials, staff and stakeholders of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to peacefully seek genuine reconciliation.
Sports247 reports that Olopade was speaking against the backdrop of last week’s election that ushered in Dr Abdullahi Mustapha as NBBF’s new president, but Nigeria’s leading basketball administrator, Colonel Sam Ahmedu (retired) was sidelined in the scheme of things.
While two ex-internationals – Olumide Oyedeji and Ejike Ugboaja – have also raised objections about the election’s outcome, Olopade spoke specifically about Ahmedu’s issue, especially after the retired military officer was recognised by basketball’s global body, FIBA.
Olopade welcomed the international body’s position that Ahmedu should not be blocked from serving on the NBBF’s new board, as confirmed in a letter dated October 19th, 2026, and addressed to Dr Mustapha from FIBA’s secretary-general, Andreas Zagklis.
The scribe confirmed that Ahmedu has been a member of FIBA’s affiliate bodies since 1997, thereby making him Nigeria’s longest serving administrator within the international basketball structure, which put to rest Olopade’s concern over his absence from NBBF’s election.
While calling for peace across all levels of Nigerian Basketball, Olopade said FIBA’s letter buttressed the concerns he raised during the NBBF’s elective congress in Abuja, regarding the need to recognise Ahmedu’s many years of service to the game of giants.
Olopade retorted, “Everyone who attended the elective congress in Abuja will recall that I personally questioned why Colonel Sam Ahmedu was not recognized as part of the electoral process. I also made my reservations known to the immediate past NBBF President, Engineer Musa Kida.
“If we must see genuine reconciliations by preaching peace, then fairness, equity and transparency must guide our actions at all times. These are fundamental principles that the Commission upholds in its drive to strengthen sports administration in Nigeria.
“Basketball is one of our key sports, and we believe this development will further strengthen the credibility of the new NBBF board and position it to focus on the real task of developing the game, improving its structures and creating greater opportunities for Nigerian players.”
Sports247 reports further that Olopade also used the opportunity to restate the NSC’s commitment to peace, fairness, accountability and effective governance in all federations, with a verdict that inclusive leadership is critical for sustainable development in the country.
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