Former D’Tigers forward and 2006 NBA Draft pick Ejike Ugboaja has issued a stern warning ahead of the upcoming Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) presidential election, declaring that the sport must not be sacrificed for personal ambition or prolonged stays in office.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Ugboaja called for an open, transparent, and level playing field, cautioning against any attempt by incumbent officials to hold onto power at the expense of the sport’s development.
Ugboaja, who serves as President of the Ejike Ugboaja Foundation, emphasized that Nigerian basketball requires a complete structural overhaul rather than political self-perpetuation. He stated that the game belongs to all Nigerians and cannot be treated as the personal property of a few individuals, warning that stakeholders cannot afford another flawed election that pushes the sport further into the doldrums.
‘We cannot afford to make another mistake that will further push our basketball into the doldrums. This is the time for every stakeholder to rise and ensure that the right thing is done in the period leading to the election,’ Ugboaja said.
The former Cleveland Cavaliers draftee declared that his presidential bid stems from a drive to rebuild the local talent pipeline. He highlighted his historic 2006 selection as the 55th overall pick directly from Lagos-based Union Bank Basketball Club, noting that no player from the Nigerian Premier Basketball League has managed to replicate that direct jump to the NBA in the two decades since.
‘I am the only player from the Nigerian Premier Basketball League to have been drafted directly from the league into the NBA in 2006. Since then, no player has made that same journey,’ he said. ‘That should tell us that something is fundamentally wrong and that there is an urgent need to restructure our basketball system.
‘That is why I have decided to come out and contest for the position of NBBF President. I have the will, the determination and, above all, the passion for this game.
‘I have passed through the system, I understand where the problems are, and I believe I understand what needs to be done to fix them.
‘This is the right time for me to step forward and play my part in turning Nigerian basketball around.’
According to Ugboaja, this prolonged drought proves the domestic system is fundamentally broken and urgently requires experienced leadership to fix.
Praising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s investment in sports, Ugboaja urged the National Sports Commission (NSC) to safeguard the credibility of the upcoming ballot.
He specifically appealed to NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director-General Bukola Olopade to ensure the electoral process reflects openness and fairness, while raising concerns over the lack of an officially announced election venue.
Ugboaja also cited troubling developments involving the leadership of state basketball associations, alleging deliberate attempts to illegally remove chairmen in Lagos and Oyo states to influence the national vote.
‘Nigerian basketball belongs to all of us. It cannot be the personal property of a few individuals,’ he said. ‘The game deserves transparency, accountability and a leadership that understands what is at stake.
‘We have talented players, passionate coaches, dedicated administrators and millions of Nigerians who love basketball. What we need now is a system that gives those talents a genuine opportunity to thrive.
‘This election must be about the future of Nigerian basketball – not about protecting individual interests.’
He vowed to vehemently oppose any form of candidate imposition and called on players, coaches, and administrators to unite behind a transparent election focused entirely on the future of Nigerian basketball.