Prominent basketball promoter and initiator of the Mark “D” Championship, Mr. Igoche Mark, has called for unity among Nigerian basketball stakeholders, describing cohesion as critical to the revival and sustainable growth of the sport in the country.Mark made the call on Sunday while speaking on ARISE TV’s Global Sports Programme, where he identified internal conflicts, divisions, and lack of collaboration as major setbacks slowing the development of Nigerian basketball.According to him, persistent disagreements among stakeholders have weakened structures within the sport and hindered progress at the domestic level, despite Nigeria’s growing reputation on the international basketball scene. “One of our biggest problems right now is internal fighting and lack of unity. A house divided against itself cannot stand. Nigerian basketball stakeholders need to come together and put aside personal agendas,” Mark said.
He stressed that stakeholders—regardless of differences in opinion or interest—share a common passion for basketball and must prioritise that shared goal above individual ambitions.Mark noted that unity would enable stakeholders to build lasting structures that support grassroots development, strengthen domestic leagues, and align Nigeria’s local basketball ecosystem with its international success. “We all have something in common, which is our passion for basketball. Irrespective of our differences, we must come together with one voice to advance the sport. We have so much more to contribute, but we need proper structures and a clear focus on development,” he added.The basketball promoter also highlighted the wide gap between Nigeria’s strong international performances and the state of the domestic league, describing the disparity as unsustainable. He said closing this gap requires deliberate planning, stakeholder cooperation, and a renewed commitment to nurturing local talent through well-organised competitions and transparent administration.
Calling for immediate action, Mark pledged to take the lead in initiating dialogue among stakeholders with the aim of resolving longstanding disputes and rebuilding trust within the basketball community. “Going forward, we need to talk. We need to start mending fences if basketball in Nigeria is to make meaningful progress,” he said.
Other panelists on the programme echoed Mark’s position, reinforcing the growing consensus that unity is essential for the sport’s future.Olumide Oyedeji, a member of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Board and former Olympian, agreed that collaboration among administrators, former players, promoters, and investors is vital for sustainable growth.
Basketball promoter Ugo Udueze also stressed that without a united front, Nigerian basketball would continue to struggle with governance challenges, limited sponsorship, and underdeveloped domestic competitions.The panelists collectively noted that Nigeria possesses abundant talent and global recognition in basketball, but warned that internal divisions could undermine these advantages if left unresolved.Their comments reflect increasing concern within the basketball community that failure to address leadership conflicts and stakeholder rivalries could stall the sport’s progress, both locally and internationally.As discussions around reform and unity continue, stakeholders are expected to explore dialogue-driven solutions aimed at restoring confidence, strengthening institutions, and positioning Nigerian basketball for long-term success.
