FIBA, NOC Dismiss Reports of Support For Kida’s Continued Leadership At NBBF

FIBA, NOC Dismiss Reports of Support For Kida’s Continued Leadership At NBBF

By Niyi Busari 

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), and outgoing Vice President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Babs Ogunade, have rejected reports circulating on social media claiming that the global basketball body reaffirmed its recognition of Musa Kida as NBBF president beyond the expiration of his tenure, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The clarification follows widespread online speculation suggesting that FIBA had endorsed the continuation of the Kida-led board despite the end of its second four-year mandate.

Kida’s second term as NBBF president began on January 31, 2022, after he was re-elected during an elective congress held in Edo State. Under the NBBF constitution, the tenure expired on January 31, 2026.

In response to an inquiry from a Nigerian basketball stakeholder on Wednesday, FIBA said it had not issued any correspondence concerning the tenure of the outgone NBBF leadership. The organisation also confirmed that it had not received any formal communication from the federation regarding the issue.

FIBA added that the only recent document in its possession related to Nigerian basketball governance is a petition submitted by stakeholders requesting that the National Sports Commission of Nigeria and the Nigeria Olympic Committee be authorised to oversee elections for a new NBBF board. The matter, according to the governing body, is currently under review by its legal department.

Separately, NOC President Habu Gumel told BSN Sports that the committee had neither received any letter from FIBA nor written to the global body regarding the leadership situation at the NBBF.

“As far as I know, in recent time, the NOC did not receive any letter from FIBA, neither did we write to FIBA,” Gumel said.

He explained that the only correspondence relating to the federation’s leadership tenure was a letter the NOC sent to the National Sports Commission in 2025, notifying the commission that the Kida-led board’s tenure expired in January 2026 and emphasising the need to conduct fresh elections.

“We are not aware of any letter from FIBA as claimed in the reports. Some people have also reached out to ask whether we wrote or received any letter from FIBA. There is nothing like that,” Gumel added.

Attempts by BSN Sports to reach Kida and other NBBF officials for comment were unsuccessful. Messages were sent to the federation’s secretary, Mrs Amina, Musa Kida, Babs Ogunade and Ugo Udezue board member,, but no response was received. A call placed to Kida was not answered.

However, Ogunade confirmed he had no knowledge of any communication from FIBA supporting an extension of the board’s leadership.

“I am not aware of any letter from FIBA,” Ogunade told BSN Sports on phone.

The statements from both FIBA and the Nigeria Olympic Committee and Ogunade effectively debunk the reports suggesting international endorsement for the continuation of the current NBBF leadership beyond its constitutional tenure.