Concerned members of the Board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) have called for urgent action to ensure strict adherence to the Federation’s constitution, following what they described as an unconstitutional attempt to extend the Board’s tenure beyond its lawful expiration date.

 

Addressing members of the sporting press on Tuesday in Abuja, the group expressed deep concerns over the state of affairs within the NBBF. They said their intervention became necessary after the President of the Federation, Musa Kida, allegedly moved to elongate the tenure of the current Board, which expired on January 31, 2026.

 

Speaking on behalf of the group, Colonel Sam Ahmedu maintained that the constitutional position regarding the tenure of the NBBF Board is clear and unambiguous.

 

According to him, pursuant to the combined effect of Articles 21.8, 23.1, and 23.10 of the NBBF Constitution (2019) — the operative legal framework guiding basketball administration in Nigeria — the tenure of the Board elected on January 31, 2022, in Benin City expired on January 31, 2026.

 

“The Constitution clearly provides that tenure commences immediately upon election and swearing-in at the venue of the election,” Ahmedu stated.

 

He explained that the swearing-in ceremony took place on January 31, 2022, in Benin City, with 11 out of the 14 duly elected members in attendance. He stressed that there is no constitutional provision recognizing or validating any separate “inauguration” ceremony as the commencement date of tenure.

 

Ahmedu described as constitutionally untenable recent claims suggesting that the Board’s tenure extends until October 2026, allegedly based on an inauguration ceremony conducted by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports in October 2022.

 

He outlined several points to support the group’s position:

• The NBBF Constitution does not recognize inauguration as a determinant of tenure commencement.

• The Board commenced full operations immediately following the January 31, 2022 elections.

• FIBA formally congratulated the Board on March 7, 2022.

• Nigeria’s men’s and women’s national teams participated in international competitions under the authority of the same Board beginning February 2022.

• Internal communications acknowledged January 31, 2026 as the terminal date of the Board’s tenure.

 

“Accordingly, any attempt to extend tenure to October 2026 lacks constitutional foundation,” he asserted.

 

Ahmedu further cited Article 20.1 of the Constitution, which establishes Congress as the supreme organ of the Federation, while Article 20.2 mandates that Congress must be convened at least once annually, with the fourth meeting designated as an Elective Congress.

 

He alleged that no Congress was convened between 2022 and January 31, 2026. He noted that what was purported to be a Board meeting, hastily convened around December 4, 2024, failed to meet constitutional requirements regarding proper notice, quorum, and approved venue.

 

In addition, he pointed out that Article 21.9 expressly mandates the holding of four quarterly Board meetings annually — a provision he said was not complied with throughout the period in question.

 

“These omissions constitute grave constitutional violations and serious governance lapses,” Ahmedu declared.

 

He concluded by emphasizing that Nigeria is governed by law and that its sports federations must operate within established constitutional frameworks.

 

“The integrity of Nigerian basketball must not be compromised by unconstitutional tenure elongation or governance irregularities. This matter transcends personalities and speaks to institutional integrity, transparency, and accountability,” he said.

 

The group urged all stakeholders to uphold the Constitution and ensure an orderly and lawful transition in the best interest of Nigerian basketball.