Chairman of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Electoral Committee, Barrister Lanre Glover, has assured stakeholders of a free and fair election as the federation prepares to elect a new president and executive board on Thursday, October 15, 2026, in Abuja.

Glover gave the assurance while addressing sports journalists in Abuja, stating that all contestants would be given equal opportunities in line with the federation’s electoral guidelines and established procedures.

He said the committee would operate strictly within the authority conferred on it by the NBBF statutes, adding that compliance with the rules was essential to ensuring transparency and credibility throughout the electoral process.  

As part of the screening exercise, five aspirants submitted nomination documents for the presidential position. Three candidates were cleared outright, while another was given additional time to complete a documentation requirement.

The candidates cleared to contest are former D’Tigers captain Olumide Joshua Oyedeji, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi and former international player Ejike Ugboaja.

Mark Igoche, another presidential aspirant, was given until Monday, October 12, to submit an outstanding tax clearance certificate. The committee warned that failure to meet the deadline could result in his disqualification.  

Glover explained that the document was missing from Igoche’s submission, prompting the committee to provide an opportunity for him to fulfil the requirement within the stipulated period.

Former national team coach Ayo Bakare, meanwhile, was disqualified after submitting his nomination form at 2:12 p.m., 12 minutes after the 2 p.m. deadline.

Explaining the decision, Glover said the committee was bound to enforce the timetable consistently and could not overlook a late submission.

“Of the five presidential candidates, one is disqualified, Ayo Bakare, and one has a condition to meet, failing which he will be disqualified. His tax clearance must come in by Monday at the latest,” Glover said.  

The committee chairman also addressed the question of identifying Nigeria’s most senior representative within the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

He said the committee required formal communication from FIBA, addressed to the NBBF, to clarify the matter before any decision could be taken. Glover added that the committee had written to the federation to facilitate the process.

He also clarified that issues concerning sponsorship and certain affiliate-related responsibilities fell under the jurisdiction of the NBBF rather than the Electoral Committee.  

In the race for the vice-presidential position, Ugo Udeze emerged as the sole nominee and was cleared by the committee.

The zonal representative positions will feature contests in three zones. Osaze Omoroghon and Fubara Fibiga are set to contest the South-South seat, while Yusuf Surajo and Shaibu Mohammed will battle for the North-West position.

In the South-West, Adesanya Babatunde Adeola will face Babatunde Omotayo Ogunade, popularly known as Babs Ogunade.

Abubakar Kaka was listed as the sole candidate for the North-East representative position, while Dr Mustapha Abdullahi was listed for the North-Central seat. Udeze was also listed for the South-East representative position.  

The NBBF elective congress is scheduled for October 15 at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, where delegates are expected to choose the leadership that will oversee Nigerian basketball for the next administration.

Glover reiterated the committee’s commitment to applying the electoral rules and ensuring that candidates who satisfy the requirements are allowed to participate.

With the final screening process approaching its conclusion, attention is now focused on whether Igoche will submit the outstanding document before the deadline and on the publication of the final list of qualified presidential candidates.

The committee’s handling of the screening process and its response to outstanding eligibility questions will be closely watched by stakeholders seeking a credible and transparent transition in Nigerian basketball administration.