The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) is set to launch preparations for the 2026 FIBA Africa U-18 Championships with simultaneous training camps in Benin City, Lagos, and Abuja this weekend. This initiative aims to assemble both the boys' and girls' national teams for the upcoming zone three qualifiers scheduled to take place in Burkina Faso.
Comprehensive Talent Development Programme
The NBBF announced that the camps are part of a broad strategy to identify, develop, and prepare the next generation of basketball talent from Nigeria and the diaspora. The programme is designed to create a clear pathway for elite youth athletes, ensuring both national teams are fully equipped to compete at the highest level of African basketball.
Local tryouts will commence simultaneously in Benin City, Lagos, and Abuja on June 6 and 7, 2026. These tryouts will provide young Nigerian players from across the country with an opportunity to showcase their skills and vie for selection into the national team programme.
Boys' Team Preparation
Following the tryouts, the U-18 Boys' team will enter a local preparation camp from June 19 to July 2, 2026, ahead of the FIBA U-18 Zone 3 Qualifiers in Burkina Faso from July 4 to 12, 2026. The federation emphasized that the boys' team representing Nigeria at the qualifiers will consist exclusively of locally based players.
Post-Qualifiers Training
After the Zone 3 Qualifiers, selected local players from both the boys' and girls' programmes will participate in an intensive training camp from July 19 to 26, 2026, as preparations continue for the continental championship.
Diaspora Engagement
As part of its commitment to creating opportunities for Nigerian athletes globally, the NBBF will open a United States-based training and evaluation camp in Chicago from July 24 to 26, 2026. This camp will offer eligible Nigerian players based abroad a chance to compete for places on the final roster, strengthening the connection between Nigerian basketball and its growing diaspora talent pool.
Joint Preparation Camp
Selected players from the Nigeria and diaspora camps will converge in Côte d'Ivoire from July 27 to August 2, 2026, for a joint preparation and integration camp. This camp will focus on team chemistry, tactical preparation, and final roster integration ahead of the championship.
FIBA U-18 Afrobasket Finals
The teams will then compete at the FIBA U-18 Afrobasket finals scheduled for Côte d'Ivoire from August 3 to 16, 2026.
NBBF President's Remarks
NBBF President Ahmadu Musa Kida reiterated the federation's commitment to youth development and the creation of sustainable pathways for future national team players. He stated: "The future of Nigerian basketball lies in the development of our young athletes. This programme is designed to identify talent across Nigeria, provide opportunities for our diaspora players, and ensure our teams receive the preparation necessary to compete successfully on the continental stage. The addition of Benin City to our tryout locations further demonstrates our commitment to expanding access and discovering talent from every part of the country."
