Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) President, Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, has praised the country’s U-18 Boys National Basketball Team following their outstanding performance at the FIBA Africa Zone 3 U-18 Qualifiers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, where they secured an unbeaten championship title and an automatic qualification for the 2026 FIBA U-18 AfroBasket Championship in Côte d’Ivoire.
The Nigerian youngsters produced a dominant display throughout the qualification tournament, winning all four of their matches in emphatic fashion to emerge champions of Zone 3. Their impressive campaign saw them defeat the Benin Republic 96-35 in their opening game before overcoming hosts Burkina Faso 98-54. Nigeria completed the double over Benin with a commanding 101-43 victory and rounded off the competition with another convincing 100-54 triumph against Burkina Faso.
The flawless campaign ensured Nigeria finished as Zone 3 champions and booked a place at the 2026 FIBA U-18 AfroBasket Championship scheduled to be held in Côte d’Ivoire from August 3 to 16, 2026.
The qualification also means Nigeria will be represented by both its male and female U-18 national teams at the continental championship after the country’s female side had earlier secured its own qualification ticket.
Reacting to the remarkable achievement, Engr. Kida described the qualification as a reflection of the Federation’s commitment to youth development and the collective dedication of the entire NBBF leadership towards rebuilding Nigerian basketball from the grassroots.
According to the NBBF President, the team’s dominant performance validates the Federation’s long-term investment in nurturing young talents across the country and demonstrates that Nigerian basketball possesses an abundance of quality capable of competing with the very best in Africa.
He reaffirmed that the Federation would continue to strengthen its grassroots development programmes, describing them as the foundation upon which the future of Nigerian basketball rests. Kida noted that the NBBF remains committed to providing opportunities for young players to develop, compete at the highest level and ultimately sustain Nigeria’s growing reputation as one of Africa’s basketball powerhouses.
He added that the Federation’s vision extends beyond qualification for continental competitions, emphasising that the objective is to build a sustainable pipeline of elite talents capable of representing Nigeria with distinction on the African and global stages for many years to come.
The Federation also acknowledged the encouragement received from the private sector during the tournament, particularly the visit of XEJet Chief Executive Officer, Mr Emmanuel Ayuba Iza, to the team’s camp in Ouagadougou. His presence was described as a significant morale booster and another indication of the growing partnership between Nigerian basketball and corporate stakeholders.
With both the male and female U-18 national teams now qualified for the 2026 FIBA U-18 AfroBasket Championship, the Nigeria Basketball Federation has reaffirmed its determination to build on the achievements recorded in Ouagadougou as preparations begin for a strong campaign in Côte d’Ivoire, where Nigeria will aim to compete for continental honours and further consolidate its status among Africa’s leading basketball nations.