The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, has called on the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, to ensure a free, fair, credible and transparent election scheduled for October 15, 2026.
The association said the credibility of the election would be crucial to strengthening confidence in the federation’s leadership and advancing basketball development in Nigeria.
SWAN President, Isaiah Benjamin, made the call in a statement signed by the association’s Secretary-General, Ikenna Okonkwo, on Wednesday.
Benjamin stressed the need for an inclusive electoral process guided by the NBBF constitution, established regulations and the principles of fairness, accountability and equal opportunity for all eligible aspirants.
He said “A credible election would provide a solid foundation for effective governance and sustainable development of basketball in the country,” Benjamin said.
The SWAN president urged the federation to ensure that electoral procedures were clearly communicated and that all eligible stakeholders were allowed to participate in accordance with the applicable rules.
He also appealed to all parties involved in the election to demonstrate maturity, embrace peaceful engagement and uphold mutual respect and sportsmanship before, during and after the exercise.
Benjamin maintained that the collective interest of Nigerian basketball should remain paramount throughout the electoral process.
“An election conducted in an atmosphere of fairness, transparency and accountability will strengthen confidence in the federation and reinforce the collective commitment of stakeholders to the growth of Nigerian basketball,” he said.
Beyond the election, the SWAN president expressed the association’s readiness to establish a stronger and more structured working relationship with the NBBF to improve the visibility, promotion and overall development of basketball in Nigeria.
He noted that constructive engagement between sports administrators and professional journalists was essential to communicating policies, promoting competitions and showcasing the achievements of Nigerian players, coaches and teams.
To achieve this, SWAN proposed sustained engagement with the federation through regular media briefings, timely access to credible information and collaborative initiatives aimed at strengthening basketball coverage at the grassroots, national and international levels.
Benjamin said the association was committed to building a professional and mutually beneficial relationship with the NBBF, recognising the strategic role of the media in sports development.
He added that open communication and collaboration would help improve the promotion of Nigerian basketball, celebrate athletes’ achievements and create opportunities for the sport to attract greater public and private-sector support.