The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has officially released the preparation schedule for Nigeria’s U-18 Boys’ and Girls’ National Teams as preparations intensify for the 2026 FIBA Africa U18 Championships.
The comprehensive programme reflects the Federation’s commitment to identifying, developing, and preparing the next generation of Nigerian basketball talent from both within the country and across the diaspora. The initiative is designed to provide a clear pathway for elite youth athletes, while ensuring both national teams are fully prepared to compete at the highest level of African basketball.
According to the schedule approved by the Federation, the national team programme will commence with simultaneous local tryouts in Benin City, Lagos, and Abuja on June 6 & 7 , 2026. The tryouts will provide young Nigerian players from across the country with an opportunity to showcase their talents and compete for selection into the national team program.
Following the tryouts, the U18 Boys’ National Team will enter a local preparation camp from June 19 – July 2nd , 2026, ahead of the FIBA U18 Zone 3 Qualifiers scheduled to take place in Burkina Faso from July 4 – 12, 2026. The boys’ team representing Nigeria at the qualifiers will consist exclusively of locally based players.
After the Zone 3 Qualifiers, selected local players from both the boys’ and girls’ programmes will participate in an intensive training camp from July 19 – 26, 2026, as preparations continue for the continental championship.
In line with the Federation’s commitment to creating opportunities for Nigerian athletes globally, a United States-based training and evaluation camp will be held in Chicago from July 24 – 26, 2026. The camp will provide an opportunity for eligible Nigerian players based abroad to compete for places on the final roster while strengthening the connection between Nigeria Basketball and its growing diaspora talent pool.
The final phase of preparation will see all selected players from Nigeria and the diaspora converge in Côte d’Ivoire from July 27 to August 2, 2026, for a joint preparation and integration camp. The camp will focus on team chemistry, tactical preparation, and final roster integration ahead of the championship.
Nigeria’s U18 Boys’ and Girls’ National Teams will then compete at the FIBA U18 Afrobasket Finals scheduled to take place in Côte d’Ivoire from August 3–16, 2026.
Speaking on the importance of the program, NBBF President, Ahmadu Musa Kida, reiterated the Federation’s commitment to youth development and the creation of sustainable pathways for future national team players.
“The future of Nigerian basketball lies in the development of our young athletes. This program is designed to identify talent across Nigeria, provide opportunities for our diaspora players, and ensure our teams receive the preparation necessary to compete successfully on the continental stage. The addition of Benin City to our tryout locations further demonstrates our commitment to expanding access and discovering talent from every part of the country.”
The Federation noted that the objectives of the programme include: Expanding grassroots talent identification across Nigeria; Providing opportunities for internationally based Nigerian players; Ensuring thorough evaluation and preparation of both boys’ and girls’ national teams.
Building strong team chemistry and cohesion before the championship; Providing adequate preparation for both the Zone 3 Qualifiers and the FIBA U18 Afrobasket Finals and strengthening Nigeria’s long-term youth development pathway and national team pipeline.
2026 NBBF U18 NATIONAL TEAM SCHEDULE:
June 6 & 7, 2026
Local Tryouts – Benin City, Lagos & Abuja
June 19 – July 2nd , 2026
U18 Boys Local Preparation Camp
July 4 – 12, 2026
FIBA U18 Zone 3 Qualifiers – Burkina Faso
July 19 – 27, 2026
Local Players Training Camp
July 24 – 26, 2026
U.S. Training Camp & Talent Evaluation – Chicago, USA
July 27 – August 2, 2026
Final Joint Preparation Camp – Côte d’Ivoire
August 3–16, 2026
FIBA U18 Afrobasket Finals – Côte d’Ivoire
The Nigeria Basketball Federation remains committed to building a sustainable future for basketball in Nigeria through grassroots development, elite competition pathways, and strategic engagement with Nigerian talent around the world.
