Nigeria’s dominance in African basketball could be under threat unless urgent steps are taken to strengthen grassroots development and create a steady pipeline of young players, coaches and referees, Air Warriors Basketball Club owner Abdulmajeed Solademi has warned.
Solademi said Nigeria has enormous basketball potential, but the country must do more to identify and develop young talents capable of eventually replacing established stars in the national teams.
He spoke during a grassroots basketball development initiative in Abuja, where he expressed optimism after witnessing the emergence of promising young players and officials.
“Absolutely incredible! When I saw it, I began to have that feeling that we have a future in basketball,” Solademi said.
The Air Warriors founder, however, warned that the progress of Nigeria’s senior teams could be threatened if the country fails to develop the next generation.
He specifically raised concerns about the future of the D’Tigress, saying Nigeria must begin preparing replacements for its current stars.
“I’m beginning to be afraid about our own D’Tigress as well when we don’t have people to really replace them,” he said.
According to Solademi, grassroots programmes such as the initiative in Abuja demonstrate that Nigeria can continue producing players capable of competing at the highest level if the right structures are put in place.
He also argued that Nigeria’s large population gives the country an advantage that should be reflected in its presence and performance across African basketball.
Call for Stronger Domestic League
Solademi further called for a more competitive domestic basketball league, describing regular high-level competition as essential to developing players and improving professionalism.
He stressed that athletes need consistent competition to grow, while warning against circumstances that could encourage players to resort to artificial means of enhancing performance.
The basketball administrator believes greater investment in grassroots programmes, domestic competitions and the development of referees and other officials could help secure Nigeria’s basketball future.
For Solademi, the message is clear: Nigeria cannot rely indefinitely on its current generation of basketball stars. The next generation must be developed now if the country wants to remain a force in African basketball.
