Dr Mustapha Abdullahi wants to lead the Nigeria Basketball Federation to improve how the game is run, boost players’ welfare, and create more chances for young Nigerian talents.
As the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Abdullahi believes basketball can make a bigger impact on the country’s economy. He says this can happen if the federation adopts professional management, strengthens local competitions, and attracts long-term investment.
With over 20 years of experience as a basketball player and supporter of grassroots development, Abdullahi understands the challenges facing the sport. “I believe basketball should benefit from that direction,” he said. He was talking about President Bola Tinubu’s focus on the sports economy through the National Sports Commission.
Abdullahi shared his plans for the federation. He promised to promote professional management, enhance players’ welfare, build stronger commercial partnerships, and create clear paths for young athletes to move up in the sport. He also mentioned the need for better teamwork among state associations, clubs, coaches, and other important people to ensure development across the country.
His playing background includes time in Nigeria’s domestic leagues, university competitions, and the national youth team, as well as playing for Trafford Basketball Club in Manchester.
Through the DAM Foundation, Abdullahi has helped grassroots development. He supported building a basketball court in Kano, organizing competitions in Okene, and backing an academy that serves over 500 children.
He pointed out that Nigeria has many talented young players, but many do not have access to good facilities, regular competitions, and professional coaching to help them reach their potential. He stated that providing infrastructure and organizing grassroots tournaments are key steps. But he believes that lasting progress needs a system that supports players throughout their growth.
Abdullahi stressed that individual efforts can only go so far without strong institutions to organize grassroots programs, help clubs, and create paths into professional basketball. He also praised the revival of the National Sports Commission. He sees it as a chance to strengthen sports management and unlock the economic potential of the sector.
He commended the focus on the sports economy under NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director-General Hon. Bukola Olopade. He noted that sports federations need to improve their operations and attract investment from the private sector.
Abdullahi believes the success of these reforms should be measured by improvements in local competitions, player welfare, and federations' ability to secure lasting commercial partnerships. He called for clear financial management, well-defined development plans, and measurable performance goals for sports federations.
He also suggested forming stronger partnerships with schools and universities to find promising athletes early and give them structured chances to develop.
For him, sports should be seen as more than just international competitions and medals. It can create jobs for athletes, coaches, administrators, and others in the industry.
Looking ahead to 2027, Abdullahi said young Nigerians want real opportunities in education, jobs, skills training, and entrepreneurship. He mentioned initiatives like the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the N3m Technical Talent initiative as examples of government efforts to tackle some challenges young people face.
He added that young Nigerians aiming for careers in sports also need better facilities, organized competitions, and clear chances for professional growth. Abdullahi, who is Secretary of the APC Presidential Campaign Council’s Sports Mobilisation Committee, said the Renewed Hope Ambassadors connect with young people to explain government policies while hearing their concerns.
He insisted that the main focus should be to ensure government policies and programs bring real benefits that young Nigerians can see and feel in their communities.
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