By Peace Udugba.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed his administration’s readiness to forge a partnership with the Nigerian leadership of the National Basketball Association (NBA) to strengthen, nurture, and improve basketball development in Lagos. The Governor made this known during a courtesy visit by the leadership of NBA Nigeria, led by NBA Africa Investor, Mr. Tunde Folawiyo, at Lagos House, Marina.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the NBA Nigeria’s plan to focus on creating pathways for young athletes by offering them opportunities for growth, exposure, and international recognition aligns strongly with his administration’s vision to use sports as a tool for empowerment, social development, and economic growth. He pledged that his government will work with the National Basketball Association and other critical stakeholders and investors to develop basketball, unlock the potential of young people, and further establish Lagos as a hub for sporting excellence.
The Governor disclosed that his administration is currently building 10 mini stadia in different parts of Lagos State, and he will ensure that all the stadia have basketball courts for the development of the game at the grassroots level. He said, “We will identify programmes, and ensure that in almost all our sporting facilities, we develop basketball courts. We are building 10 mini stadia around the State, and in all of them, we will have a basketball court.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu commended Mr. Tunde Folawiyo and the NBA leadership for their passion and interest in the game. He praised their efforts in organizing the African Basketball League and expressed his administration’s commitment to partnering with them to grow basketball in Lagos.
Folawiyo praised Governor Sanwo-Olu for his giant strides in Lagos State, especially in the area of infrastructural and sports development. He outlined the commitment of the NBA Africa Investment Group to growing basketball from the grassroots and expressed their readiness to partner with the Lagos State Government in ways that extend far beyond the basketball game itself. He said they are keen to leverage their network to attract investment, strengthen sports infrastructure, and enhance the capacity of coaches and technical personnel.
