Nigeria sports federations inaugurate new leadership and growth plans

Several Nigerian sports federations have undergone leadership changes and strategic planning following inaugurations by the National Sports Commission in Abuja.

Babajimi Benson, the newly inaugurated President of the Nigeria Padel Federation, announced plans to expand the sport beyond Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. The federation aims to establish training academies, increase grassroots participation, and attract private investment to create pathways for Nigerian athletes to compete internationally.

In basketball, Mustapha Abdullahi was elected President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), succeeding Musa Kida. His election occurred amid controversy, including allegations of irregularities and protests from rival candidates who had previously petitioned for the election to be halted. Despite these disputes and a pending legal challenge in the Federal High Court, the election proceeded. National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko has called for unity among stakeholders to support the new leadership and prioritize the development of the sport.