By Eyere Ekuta
Deputy Comptroller of Customs Leads Initiative to Discover, Develop and Empower Nigeria’s Next Generation of Basketball Talents
The city of Abuja witnessed a major step toward grassroots basketball development as the Amateur Basketball Academies (ABA) officially unveiled its vision, developmental plans, and proposed league structure during a well-attended media conference held at Chelsea Hotel, Abuja.
The landmark gathering, held on May 8, 2026, brought together basketball stakeholders, coaches, sports administrators, media personalities, athletes, and supporters in what many described as a defining moment for the future of grassroots basketball in Nigeria.
At the center of the initiative was the Founder and President of the Amateur Basketball Academies, Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DC) AL Aliyu, a senior officer of the Nigeria Customs Service and a product of basketball whose personal journey in the sport inspired the establishment of the initiative.
In his opening remarks, DC Aliyu explained that ABA was created in response to the abundance of untapped basketball talent across communities, schools, and local courts in Nigeria.
“I welcome you all to the very first press conference of Amateur Basketball Academy. The Amateur Basketball Academy was born out of a simple but undeniable truth, there is an abundance of untapped basketball talent in our community, across streets, schools, and local courts,” he said.
He further explained that the academy is built around four major pillars: talent discovery, nurturing, growth, and development, with the long-term goal of producing athletes capable of competing on the global stage.
According to him, ABA plans to establish a structured pathway for young athletes through scouting programs, mentorship, regional academies, competitions, and high-performance training systems designed to transform raw talent into refined excellence.
“We are building the pathway from raw potential to refined excellence,” he stated.
One of the major announcements during the conference was the proposed launch of the ABA League in July 2026. Organizers revealed that about 20 academies have already been identified for participation, with both male and female categories expected to feature in the competition.
The Guest of Honour, HRH Eze Ifeanyi Eke, Chairman of the FCT Basketball Caretaker Committee, openly endorsed the initiative and pledged his full support toward its success.
“The association ABA is a very good and well-thought-out plan, envisaged on development of basketball at the grassroots level, and this has been what we have been praying and planning towards,” he said.
He stressed the importance of sports in shaping young lives positively and praised DC Aliyu and his team for introducing a system capable of combining academics, sportsmanship, and moral development.
“To get the kids off the streets, get the kids off drugs, get the kids off hookups, and get the kids to play basketball and study at the same time. It will help in breeding a new generation of children that are well-rounded academically, physically, and morally,” he added.
The proposed league is designed to provide consistent competition, talent exposure, athlete development, and opportunities for young players to combine sports with education while gaining valuable experience.
A major highlight of the conference was the official unveiling of the trophies and awards for the proposed ABA League, a moment that generated excitement among guests and reinforced the seriousness of the initiative’s vision.
The conference also attracted notable personalities within Nigeria’s basketball and sports media landscape. Among dignitaries present were members of the ABA Board, including Madam Theresa Ahmed , a respected grassroots basketball advocate, children’s author, and long-time supporter of youth athlete development.
Also present were General Manager of NTA Sports 24, Kayode Adeniyi, alongside basketball stakeholders Coach Mike Akubor, Coach Odaudu Adeka, and Coach Emmanuel Odah, all of whom commended the initiative and encouraged its expansion beyond Abuja into other regions of the country.
The North Central representative particularly advocated for the initiative to spread across neighboring states while also volunteering sponsorship of medals for future competitions.
One of the athletes present , Oghenetega David Odior, described the initiative as a valuable platform capable of giving young players the exposure and experience needed to grow in the sport.
“I’m looking for exposure, experience, and getting to play different styles of basketball alongside academics. Generally, it’s about more exposure,” he said.
As the conference concluded, the message remained clear, ABA is not simply launching another basketball competition, but building a long-term movement centered on opportunity, mentorship, discipline, and the belief that the next generation of Nigerian basketball stars can emerge from the grassroots when given the right platform to grow.
