ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has rejected calls for the resignation of the Nigeria Basketball Federation board following D’Tigress’ disappointing performance at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, insisting that due process must be followed in addressing the situation.
Dikko made the remarks on Sunday during a press briefing in Abuja, where he addressed the fallout from Nigeria’s elimination from the tournament. He said while the performance of the team was below expectations, calls for the resignation of the NBBF board were premature and did not follow established governance procedures.
“I understand the frustration of Nigerians. We all wanted D’Tigress to do well, and their exit was disappointing. But we cannot resort to knee-jerk reactions. There are processes and procedures for addressing issues of this nature,” Dikko stated. “The NSC will not be stampeded into taking actions that are not in line with established rules.”
D’Tigress, the reigning African champions, were eliminated in the group stage of the World Cup after losing two of their three matches. The team’s performance was a far cry from their historic run to the semi-finals at the 2025 edition, where they became the first African team to reach that stage. The reversal in fortunes has sparked widespread criticism, with some stakeholders calling for a complete overhaul of the NBBF leadership.
However, Dikko defended the board, noting that the federation had made significant progress in recent years, including the establishment of a professional league, improved welfare for players, and increased investment in grassroots development. He said the NSC would conduct a comprehensive review of the team’s performance and make recommendations for improvement, rather than apportioning blame.
“We must be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. The NBBF has done a lot of good work, and we should not allow one tournament to define the entire tenure of the board,” Dikko said. “Let us wait for the review, and then we can take informed decisions.”
The NSC Chairman also praised the players for their efforts, noting that they had represented the country with dedication and pride. He urged Nigerians to continue supporting the team and to avoid personal attacks on the players and officials.
“I want to appeal to Nigerians to remain supportive. These are our daughters and our ambassadors. They have given their best, and they deserve our encouragement, not condemnation,” he said.
Dikko disclosed that the NSC would meet with the NBBF leadership in the coming weeks to discuss the way forward, including plans for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and the qualification series for the 2028 Olympic Games. He said the commission would also review the team’s preparation, coaching, and player welfare to ensure that Nigeria returns to the top of African basketball.
The NBBF President, who spoke briefly at the briefing, thanked the NSC for its support and pledged the board’s commitment to improving the team’s performance. He said the federation would learn from the World Cup experience and take steps to address the identified gaps. “We are not running away from our responsibilities. We will do everything possible to ensure that D’Tigress returns to winning ways,” he said.
For now, the focus is on the review and the way forward. While the calls for resignation persist, the NSC has made it clear that it will follow due process in addressing the concerns. The coming weeks will reveal whether the NBBF board can weather the storm or whether changes will be made to the leadership of Nigerian basketball.
