FIBA Africa Zone 3 President and Nigeria Basketball Federation board member, Colonel Sam Amedu, has delivered a frank and sobering verdict on the state of Nigerian basketball, admitting that the federation has failed the nation by consistently failing to run a proper, full-season domestic league.
Amedu condemned the federation’s dependence on hastily assembled, abridged league formats, describing them as damaging to players, coaches, officials, and clubs nationwide.
“We have failed the nation in recent years. The constant abridged formats are unacceptable. Nigerian basketball deserves a full league campaign, not improvised competitions,” he said.
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For half a decade, Nigeria has lacked a stable, uninterrupted league calendar — a situation that has stalled player development and weakened the competitiveness of clubs on the continental stage. Amedu warned that this instability has far-reaching consequences.
“Players cannot develop properly. Coaches cannot plan. Officials cannot function professionally. It affects everything, even our international performances,” he noted.
Calling for a complete structural overhaul, Amedu insisted that Nigeria must restore integrity and competitiveness to its domestic league if it hopes to return to the top tier of African basketball.
“We must revise the league calendar and restore a complete season that aligns with global standards. That is the only path to rebuilding,” he said.
He further cautioned that without a stable domestic league, young talents will stall and both D’Tigers and D’Tigress will continue to struggle with continuity and proper integration of homegrown players.
“Our national teams depend on a strong league. Without it, the future becomes uncertain,” he warned.
Amedu concluded by stressing the need for professionalism, transparency, and accountability going forward: “Rebuilding starts with admitting the truth. Now we must fix the system and deliver the league Nigerian basketball deserves.”
