By Joy Onu
Rumors suggesting that the Engr. Musa Kida-led board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) is scheming to extend its tenure beyond the constitutional limit have been firmly dismissed. Comrade Sunday Adebayo, a key stakeholder in the Nigerian sporting ecosystem, clarified that the reported January 2026 expiration of the board’s tenure is erroneous.
The clarification comes after a parallel electoral process in January 2022 created a leadership dispute. The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development reviewed the situation before officially recognising the outcome of the Benin City congress. Consequently, the board was inaugurated by then-Minister Chief Sunday Dare on 6 October 2022, marking the formal commencement of its mandate. Adebayo explained that this inauguration, attended by key stakeholders including the President of the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), and widely covered by the media, confers legitimacy on the Engr. Musa Kida-led administration.
Between the January 2022 election and the October inauguration, the board could not exercise full executive authority due to the unresolved dispute. During this period, Nigeria’s national teams were withdrawn from international competitions, including the disqualification of D’Tigress from the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup despite having qualified. Adebayo emphasised that it would be inequitable to count this period of incapacity against the board’s tenure.
He further stated that Engr. Kida remains committed to the constitution of the Federation, which limits office holders to two four-year terms, and has no intentions of pursuing a third term. “There has never been any formal proposal, discussion, or agenda item regarding tenure elongation or a third term for any officer,” he said.
Addressing concerns regarding legal correspondence sent to certain journalists, Adebayo clarified that the letters were issued in response to publications containing statements deemed factually inaccurate and potentially defamatory. He stressed that exercising the right to seek legal redress does not constitute intimidation of the press, and reaffirmed the NBBF’s commitment to media freedom, encouraging journalists to verify facts with the Federation before publication.
Adebayo called on stakeholders to focus on the achievements of the Engr. Musa Kida-led board from 2017 to 2025, highlighting the women’s national team, D’Tigress, which won five consecutive FIBA AfroBasket titles (2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025) and became the first African team to reach the quarter-finals of an Olympic basketball tournament at Paris 2024. The men’s national team, D’Tigers, recorded a historic 90-87 victory over Team USA in July 2021, qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and steadily improved Nigeria’s FIBA ranking. He also highlighted the Federation’s institutional development, including a strengthened constitution, reconciliation mechanisms, and expanded grassroots programmes, alongside international recognition for Nigerian basketball players excelling in the NBA and top European leagues.
While acknowledging differing interpretations regarding the official start of the tenure, Adebayo assured that elections will be conducted at the appropriate time according to the constitution and in consultation with supervisory authorities. He urged all members of the basketball family to remain united, calm, and focused on the continued growth and success of Nigerian basketball. “Nigerian basketball has come too far to be derailed by unnecessary controversies,” he said, noting that the Federation’s legacy must be protected.
