NBA Africa has unveiled NBA REC, its recreational basketball platform aimed at players aged 18 and older, launching in Nigeria via a multi-year partnership with Future Concerns Nigeria Limited. The programme will mark NBA REC’s first stop in West Africa.
Snack brand Munch It, which is owned by Kellogg Tolaram Nigeria Limited, has signed on as an official partner of the first NBA REC University Tournament. The event is set for 7–8 August at the University of Lagos and will run for two days, featuring eight men’s university squads from across Nigeria. Alongside the on-court action, organisers have promised fan entertainment and community-focused activities, with additional information on the teams involved and the wider event schedule expected in the weeks ahead.
Fola Folowosele, head of NBA Nigeria, said the collaboration is driven by a shared goal of expanding opportunities for young people to take part in basketball and build connections through the sport. He described NBA REC as a platform that blends the game with lifestyle elements and community engagement.
Dr Eng. Anthony Oguike, group managing director of Future Concerns, added that backing university sport is key to nurturing student-athletes in both performance and personal development. He also said the company is proud to join NBA Africa on the initiative.
Enoma Aito, brand manager at Munch It, said the brand’s participation is tied to basketball’s strong pull within youth culture and its power to bring young people together around a common passion.
Nigeria’s basketball link with the NBA traces back to Hakeem Olajuwon being chosen as the first overall pick by the Houston Rockets in the 1984 NBA Draft. Since then, more than 50 players with Nigerian connections have gone on to appear in the league, while three Nigerian clubs have taken part in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) since its opening season in 2021.
As part of its grassroots push in Nigeria, NBA Africa opened a subsidiary office in Lagos in 2022. The move supports wider development programmes in the country, including NBA Crossover and NBA Meets Art.
NBA Africa, an affiliate of the NBA, handles the league’s business operations across the continent, including the BAL. The BAL is a partnership with FIBA and features 12 club teams; its sixth season wrapped up in May 2026. NBA Africa also operates subsidiary offices in Cairo, Dakar, Johannesburg, Lagos and Nairobi, with NBA programming available in all 54 African countries.
