Oluchi Tobex Tobe-Chukwu
With the opening ceremony of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games just hours away, the President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Engineer Ahmadu Musa Kida, has issued a powerful and commanding charge to the Team Nigeria contingent: step onto the global stage, show no mercy, and bring the medals home.
Known for his relentless winning mentality and his historic success in navigating the turbulence of Nigerian basketball to deliver continental and global dominance, Kida declared that the current crop of athletes has been given the ultimate platform to succeed. He stressed that with the historic level of preparation and welfare provided, the only acceptable outcome in Glasgow is absolute excellence.
In a strongly worded goodwill message released on Wednesday, the respected sports administrator and corporate titan rallied the athletes, reminding them of the weight of the crest on their chests and the 200 million Nigerians standing firmly behind them.
“You are the pride of the most resilient nation on earth,” Kida declared. “When you step onto the track, the court, the platform, or the ring in Glasgow, you must compete with the heart of a lion. We go into tournaments to dominate, conquer, and win.”
Applauding the NSC’s Administrative Masterclass :
Kida, who understands firsthand the administrative hurdles required to fund and prepare national teams, reserved special praise for the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC). He commended NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade for their revolutionary, athlete-first approach to the Games.
He highlighted that the world-class high-performance camp in Aberdeen, Scotland, coupled with the unprecedented, heavily upgraded welfare and incentive packages, has permanently changed the narrative of sports administration in Nigeria.
- The Aberdeen Advantage:Kida noted that early acclimatisation and top-tier facilities have completely removed the traditional logistical bottlenecks that previously hindered performance.
- Welfare as a Weapon: He praised the NSC for settling all domestic, travel, and international camping allowances upfront, stating that “an athlete who is respected, well-fed, and financially motivated is a dangerous opponent for anyone in the world.”
“The National Sports Commission, under the leadership of Dikko and Olopade, has completely rewritten the playbook for international tournament operations.
“By prioritising athlete welfare and securing elite training environments, they have effectively stripped away every excuse for failure. The NSC has done the heavy lifting. Now, the athletes must deliver the knockout blows,” Kida added.
Saluting the Presidential Mandate
Crucially, Kida attributed this new golden dawn in Nigerian sports to the unshakeable political will and financial backing of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
He noted that the President’s “Renewed Hope” agenda is actively manifesting in the sports sector, where the federal government’s swift approval of funds and commitment to sporting excellence has given the NSC the ammunition needed to execute its flawless preparation plan.
“None of this historic preparation would have been possible without the visionary backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Kida emphasised.
Mr President has proven that he listens to the youths and values the unifying power of sports. He has laid the foundation, and as the NSC DG has rightly told the team, the President is waiting to receive them in Abuja with honour. We must reward this belief in us with a historic haul.”
As Team Nigeria fully transitions into the Games Village for the commencement of the Commonwealth Games, Kida’s roaring message sets a fierce and focused tone: The nation is united, the government has delivered, and the stage is set for Nigerian athletes to rewrite history in Glasgow.