The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) on Monday, June 22, 2026, began preparations for the U-18 boys’ national team ahead of the FIBA Africa U-18 Zone 3 Qualifiers in Burkina Faso.
A pre-selection screening camp will hold in Benin from Wednesday, June 24, to July 3 at the Indoor Hall of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where invited players identified through nationwide scouting will be assessed.
The federation said the camp will help finalize Nigeria’s squad for the regional qualifiers scheduled for July 2 to July 15, 2026, in Burkina Faso.
Spokesman Babs Ogunade said the players earned call-ups through extensive talent identification across the country, adding that the camp will guide final selection.
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Head coach Ikima Michael and the technical crew will assess players on skill, fitness, discipline, and readiness for international competition.
NBBF President Musa Kida said the programme underscores the federation’s focus on youth development and long-term team building, while National Teams General Manager Musa Adamu said selections were based strictly on merit.
Following the qualifiers, home-based players will return for a training camp from July 16 to July 25.
The federation will also stage a diaspora evaluation programme in Chicago from July 23 to July 25, before a final preparation camp in Côte d’Ivoire from July 27 to August 3 ahead of the FIBA U-18 AfroBasket Championship Finals.
The NBBF said the combined structure is aimed at deepening the talent pool and strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness at youth level.