Mustapha Abdullahi Elected NBBF President Amid Protests and Legal Issues

Mustapha Abdullahi, the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, has been elected president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation. His victory came after a disputed election in Abuja on Thursday. There were allegations of irregularities and protests from rival candidates.

Mr Abdullahi received 40 out of the 48 votes cast at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre. He beat former D’Tigers captain Olumide Oyedeji, who got eight votes.

Former Nigerian international Ejike Ugboaja did not receive any votes. Another candidate, Igoche Mark, pulled out of the race a day before the election. He raised concerns about the fairness and credibility of the process.

Mr Ugboaja also left the proceedings after voting began. He claimed that the process had been hijacked to favor Mr Abdullahi. Despite the issues, the election continued and a new president was elected for the federation.

This election followed a petition dated 12 October. In this petition, Mr Mark, Mr Oyedeji, and Mr Ugboaja asked President Bola Tinubu to direct the National Sports Commission to stop the election. They wanted an investigation into alleged breaches of the NBBF constitution.

In the letter shared with PREMIUM TIMES, the three candidates accused the outgoing president Musa Kida of compromising the election to help Mr Abdullahi. They also claimed that over 15 state basketball association chairmen and representatives were removed and replaced shortly before the election.

The allegations have not been verified independently. Mr Kida and Mr Abdullahi have not responded to the claims in the petition.

Election Proceeds Amid Legal Challenge

The election controversy did not end with withdrawals and accusations at the congress. A Federal High Court in Abuja pushed back a suit questioning the legality of the NBBF elective congress until 3 November. This allowed the election to go ahead while the legal challenge is still pending.

The suit was filed by former D’Tigers coach Ayodele Bakare against the NBBF and the National Sports Commission. Mr Bakare was disqualified from running for president because he submitted his nomination forms late. He is challenging the validity of the extraordinary congress held in Yola, Adamawa State.

The election also followed a directive from the International Basketball Federation that the NBBF must complete its board election by 15 October. This deadline was part of ending Mr Kida’s tenure and starting a new administration.

Mr Kida, who led the federation since 2017, had previously announced he would not seek a third term. This brought his eight-year administration to a close.

At the congress, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko urged candidates and other basketball officials to set aside their differences. He called for unity after the election.

“Today is the day to show that we are for basketball. Whatever it is, let’s put the ball to a stop here and see how we can move forward together as one family,” Mr Dikko said.

Who is this New NBBF President?

Mr Abdullahi is a chartered engineer and a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, according to his LinkedIn profile. He began his doctoral research at the University of Manchester in 2016, starting with an MPhil before moving to a PhD.

He holds a master’s degree from the University of Salford’s School of Computing, Science and Engineering. He also has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Kano University of Technology, Wudil.

His research interests include acoustic engineering, especially studies of acoustic wave propagation and its uses. He has over six years of experience at Nigeria’s National Space Research and Development Agency, working in space technology.

Personal Milestones

Mr Abdullahi has said that his election is the result of a long personal connection with basketball. He remembers borrowing money to buy shoes to play the sport as a young boy in northern Nigeria.

“As a young boy growing up in Northern Nigeria, my basketball journey began on grassroots courts, driven by a passion so strong that I once had to borrow money to buy a pair of basketball shoes,” he posted on Facebook after being elected.

He sees the presidency as a chance to grow the game and create opportunities for young people.

“This is more than a personal milestone; it is a call to serve and a commitment to the future of Nigerian basketball,” he said.

Mr Abdullahi has promised to work with basketball officials and others to increase grassroots participation, improve facilities, and strengthen domestic competitions. His administration is also expected to tackle issues related to player welfare, funding, and organizing the local game.

Ugo Udezue was elected vice-president unopposed, as he was the only candidate for the position.

Challenges Ahead

The new president takes over a federation that has seen some international success, especially the women’s team D’Tigress. But the local basketball structure still faces challenges over funding, competitions, and development pathways.

Improving past performances will need consistent player development, good administration, and support for local competitions. Mr Abdullahi’s immediate job will also be to mend the divisions highlighted by the election and build trust among officials and other basketball community members who questioned the process.