Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, has said his bid to lead the Nigeria Basketball Federation is inspired by President Bola Tinubu’s renewed emphasis on developing sport as an economic sector.
Abdullahi believes the ongoing overhaul of sports governance, especially the return of the National Sports Commission, has created a fresh opening for federations to operate more effectively and secure long-term investment.
He said he intends to use that opening to upgrade basketball administration, raise standards of player welfare and create broader routes into the game for emerging talent.
“I have known basketball from my playing days, committed personal resources to grassroots projects and gained experience running a federal institution,” Abdullahi said. “Those experiences have helped me understand both the problems confronting the sport and the possibilities for solving them.”
Having been involved in basketball for more than two decades, Abdullahi said he wants an NBBF run on professional lines, supported by improved local leagues, stronger welfare provisions for players, lasting commercial deals and defined progression opportunities for young prospects.
He praised the National Sports Commission leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade for putting increased focus on the sports economy, private-sector participation and stronger institutions. However, he said the reforms would only be judged successful if domestic competitions improve, athletes receive better support and federations become capable of bringing in corporate backing.
Abdullahi also urged sporting bodies to adopt accountable financial structures, detailed growth strategies and performance targets that can be properly assessed.
His playing background includes Nigeria’s domestic league circuit, university basketball and the national youth programme, while he also featured for Trafford Basketball Club in Manchester.
Through the DAM Foundation, Abdullahi said he has helped deliver a basketball court in Kano, staged grassroots tournaments in Okene and backed an academy that serves more than 500 children.
He said those initiatives had reinforced his belief that Nigeria has a large pool of young sporting talent, but that many players are held back by poor access to suitable facilities, consistent competitions and qualified coaching.
“We need better institutions that can organise grassroots programmes, assist clubs and provide a route into professional sport,” he said. “That is the way to open up opportunities for more young Nigerians.”
Abdullahi called for closer cooperation between state associations, clubs, coaches and other stakeholders. He said sport could provide substantial jobs and financial self-reliance if it is developed as an industry rather than being viewed only through international events.
Referencing the Tinubu administration’s youth-focused programmes, including NELFUND and the 3 Million Technical Talent initiative, Abdullahi said young people were seeking real prospects in education, jobs, skills acquisition and enterprise. He is also the Director of Youth for the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and Secretary of the APC Presidential Campaign Council’s Sports Mobilisation Committee.
He added that public policy must produce visible benefits within local communities, with grassroots sport serving as one of the channels for delivering those opportunities.
