The leadership crisis within the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has taken a fresh turn, with board member and former D’Tigers captain Olumide Oyedeji calling for an immediate resolution through a constitutionally compliant elective Congress.
The long-running dispute intensified last week after a faction of Congress members formally petitioned the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), seeking approval for fresh elections. The petitioners accused the current NBBF board of remaining in office beyond its constitutional tenure, further escalating tensions within Nigerian basketball.
“Obey the Constitution”
Reacting to the developments, Oyedeji emphasized that stakeholders are not demanding anything extraordinary only strict adherence to the federation’s governing document.
“What everybody wants to see is the election. What everybody wants to see is not just the election per se,” Oyedeji stated.
“We just want to see, just obey the constitution, follow the constitution.”
According to him, conflicting interpretations of the NBBF constitution have fueled the protracted impasse, with different parties allegedly reading the rules to suit their interests.
“So, of course, there are different misinterpretations. Unfortunately, everybody wants to interpret what suits them, but we really, really need to be truthful, honest.”
Call for Selflessness
Oyedeji, one of the most respected figures in Nigerian basketball history, acknowledged that the crisis has lingered far too long and now demands sacrifice, transparency, and sincerity from all involved.
In a direct appeal to fellow board members and stakeholders, he urged them to prioritize national interest over personal ambition.
“Whatever we need to do, think first about the country, not about myself.”
What’s at Stake
With FIBA now drawn into the matter, scrutiny over the federation’s governance has intensified. Failure to resolve the crisis swiftly could have implications for Nigeria’s international standing and participation in upcoming continental and global competitions.
An elective Congress conducted strictly in accordance with the NBBF constitution is widely seen as the most viable pathway to restoring legitimacy, institutional stability, and operational focus within Nigerian basketball.
For now, the federation remains at a crossroads with mounting pressure to choose transparency and constitutional order over prolonged internal conflict.
