Former D’Tigers coach Abdulrahman Mohammed has urged the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to prioritize the development of local players and grassroots structures. In an interview with Punch, Mohammed emphasized that the country’s basketball ecosystem must shift away from its heavy reliance on the United States to build a sustainable domestic league. He argued that giving local talent the opportunity to develop is essential for the long-term health of both men’s and women’s basketball in Nigeria.
Mohammed welcomed the new NBBF leadership’s promise of a grassroots-first approach, particularly under newly elected president Mustapha Abdullahi. He stated that stakeholders are ready to support this transition, noting that the necessary coaches and players already exist within the country. According to Mohammed, the primary obstacle has been the lack of a formal framework. He expressed confidence that with the right will and structure, the domestic league could recover quickly, provided there is patience from the public and administrators alike.
The former coach highlighted the disparity between Nigerian players and those abroad as a key reason why foreign coaches often struggle to build teams around local talent. He observed that American coaches are typically result-oriented and lack the patience to develop players over time. This pressure was evident during recent World Cup qualifiers, where immediate losses triggered calls to revert to local coaches. Mohammed suggested that this cycle prevents the growth of domestic players and reinforces the dependency on foreign talent.
Regarding the upcoming Women’s BAL, Mohammed praised the initiative and the involvement of Chiney Ogwumike, stating that the potential for female basketball in Nigeria is significant. However, he noted that camps have been concentrated in Lagos and should be spread across the country to identify talent from all regions. He believes that broader exposure and encouragement are needed to propel female players to the highest levels of the sport.
Mohammed also expressed skepticism about the proposed franchise model for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) in Nigeria. He warned that state governments may struggle to commit to the financial requirements due to political transitions and shifting priorities. He suggested that the model might only work if driven by passionate individuals rather than government entities, which could withdraw support when leadership changes. Despite these challenges, he maintained that the initiative is valuable and worth pursuing with the right adjustments.