By Andrew Abah
For Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, basketball development is more than an ambition. It is a responsibility he has embraced for years, driven by a belief that sport can become a powerful instrument for youth development, community engagement and national transformation.
His relationship with basketball predates his current public position. For more than a decade, he has remained connected to the sport, first as a player and later as a supporter and promoter of grassroots development. His journey includes playing for teams in Kano State, supporting emerging players and providing assistance to basketball teams and communities at different levels; beginning from the grassroots.
That history is significant. His involvement with basketball did not begin with public office. It grew from personal participation and a conviction that the future of the game must be built from its foundation.
For Dr. Abdullahi, some of the challenges confronting Nigerian basketball at the national level have their roots in weaknesses at the grassroots. Young talents need access to functional facilities, competitions, mentorship and opportunities to develop. Without those foundations, the country risks losing promising athletes before they have the opportunity to reach their potential.
This philosophy has informed several of his interventions. In Kano, for example, he supported the construction of a basketball court and sponsored a tournament, providing the logistics and other resources required to make the competition possible. Such interventions provide more than a temporary sporting event; they create facilities and opportunities that can continue to serve young players.
The same philosophy is reflected in the activities of the DAM Foundation, particularly its Annual Basketball Championship in Okene, Kogi State, held every December. What began as a basketball initiative has developed into a broader platform for youth engagement, talent discovery, community interaction and empowerment.
Basketball remains at the centre, but the impact extends beyond the court. The championship brings young people together, encourages positive interaction and provides a platform for emerging talents to compete and gain visibility. It has also attracted prominent entertainers, including Davido and comedians, helping to connect sport, entertainment and youth engagement in a way that captures wider public attention from the grassroots.
The Foundation’s interventions have equally extended into areas of social welfare and empowerment with presence across the grassroot levels. Young people and members of vulnerable communities have benefited from medical assistance, scholarships, business grants and other forms of support. Employment facilitation and personal welfare assistance have also featured in his broader efforts to help young people overcome some of the barriers to becoming economically productive.
His support for basketball teams in Abuja further illustrates this approach. His relationship with the GVBF (Great Vibes Basketball Foundation) basketball team has gone beyond funding sporting activities to include assistance with players’ welfare and personal challenges. The underlying principle is straightforward: developing an athlete requires attention not only to performance, but also to the individual behind the jersey.
Infrastructure is equally central to his philosophy. A properly built and maintained basketball court can become a community asset, providing young people with a place to train, compete, build friendships and discover their abilities. For this reason, investment in facilities is treated as an important part of the broader development process. His approach can therefore be viewed through several interconnected pillars: talent discovery, competition, infrastructure, mentorship, welfare and empowerment. Together, they create a pathway through which a young person can move from simply playing basketball to developing a meaningful future around sports.
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