By IJEOMA OKIGBO

Mustapha Abdullahi, a candidate for the presidency of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), has called for a fresh beginning and repositioning of Nigerian basketball.

Abdullahi, who is also Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) said the federation needed innovation, competence, institutional discipline and a clear national vision to advance the sport.

He said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja, stressing the need for a broader leadership approach to basketball development.

According to him, the approach should connect basketball with corporate investment, international partnerships, youth development, education and the wider Nigerian economy.

“Nigerian basketball does not need leadership for the sake of leadership. It needs a paradigm shift.

“It needs innovation without losing institutional discipline,” Abdullahi said.

The candidate said his experience outside the traditional structure of basketball administration could provide a different perspective for the federation.

“Sometimes, institutions need someone who understands the system without being imprisoned by its history,” he said.

Abdullahi also cited his exposure across government, academia, business, energy and international institutions as potential assets in attracting partnerships and investment.

“A president of the NBBF should be able to open doors, attract partners and make Nigerian basketball visible in rooms where decisions and investments are made,” he said.

He said his involvement with basketball predated the current NBBF electoral process, noting that he had participated in the sport as a player and enthusiast.

Abdullahi said he had also supported basketball development through initiatives including the annual DAM Foundation Basketball event in Okene, Kogi.

He added that his involvement in scholarships, skills development, fellowship programmes, empowerment initiatives and community engagement reflected his commitment to youth development.

“The young player in a neighbourhood court does not care about federation politics. He wants a pathway.

“The talented teenager wants an opportunity. The coach wants support. The professional player wants a functioning system,” he added.

Abdullahi also called for increased investment and visibility for women’s basketball and stronger structures for clubs and administrators.

He said such measures would help promote professionalism and competence across the basketball ecosystem.

The NBBF presidential hopeful stressed the importance of stronger relationships among basketball stakeholders, government, businesses and international partners.

“The NBBF does not need a president who only occupies an office.

“It needs a president who can build consensus around a national basketball vision and bring repositioning,” Abdullahi said.

While acknowledging the value of experience in basketball administration, he said experience should be complemented by competence, vision, integrity, innovation and capacity to deliver.

The DG ECN also described himself as a basketball enthusiast and professional with institutional management experience and international exposure.

He said his leadership approach would focus on development, opportunities for young players and institutional growth.

“Results are not products of familiarity but products of capacity and competencies.

“The NBBF needs a paradigm shift. It needs fresh thinking backed by proven competence,” Abdullahi said. (NAN)