The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) will begin preparations for the 2026 FIBA Africa U-18 Championships simultaneously in Benin, Lagos and Abuja this weekend.

According to the NBBF, the camps will prepare the U-18 boys’ and girls’ teams for the 2026 FIBA Africa U-18 Championships zone three qualifiers, billed to hold in Burkina Faso.

The NBBF said that the comprehensive programme reflects its commitment to identifying, developing and preparing the next generation of basketball talent from both within the country and across the diaspora.

It added that 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.

It said that the programme will commence with simultaneous local tryouts in Benin City, Lagos, and Abuja on June 6  and 7, adding that 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 programme.

It said: “Following the tryouts, the U-18 Boys’ team will enter a local preparation camp from June 19 to July 2, ahead of the FIBA U-18 Zone 3 Qualifiers scheduled to be held in Burkina Faso from July 4 to 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 to 26, 2026, as preparations continue for the continental championship.”

The federation also said that as part of its commitment to creating opportunities for Nigerian athletes globally, it would open a United States-based training and evaluation camp in Chicago from July 24 to 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 Nigerian basketball and its growing diaspora talent pool.”

The federation said that the selected players from the Nigeria and the diaspora camps would converge on 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,” it said, adding that the teams would thereafter compete at the FIBA U-18 Afrobasket finals scheduled for Côte d’Ivoire from August 3 to 16, 2026.

Explaining the programme, NBBF President Ahmadu Musa Kida, reiterated the federation’s commitment to youth development and the creation of sustainable pathways for future national team players.

He said: “The future of Nigerian basketball lies in the development of our young athletes. This programme 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.”