Dream Alive: ABA Unveils Nigeria's Next Generation of Basketball Referees

By Eyere Ekuta

The Amateur Basketball Academies (ABA) has taken another significant step in its grassroots development drive with the graduation of the first batch of participants from its Referees and Technical Officials Training Programme, codenamed Dream Alive, marking what stakeholders describe as the beginning of a structured pathway for developing basketball officials in Nigeria.

Held from July 9 to 11 at the Outdoor Basketball Court, Old Parade Ground-Area 10, Abuja, the three-day programme brought together more than 25 aspiring referees, technical officials and basketball enthusiasts from the Federal Capital Territory and other parts of the country for intensive classroom and practical sessions on modern basketball officiating.

Rather than end with just presentation of Certificates, the programme concluded with a live exhibition game officiated entirely by the newly trained referees, allowing guests to assess the participants' understanding of FIBA rules, positioning, communication, mechanics and game management after three days of instruction.

The clinic was facilitated by some of Nigeria's most respected basketball instructors, including Coach Adeka Daudu, Coach Alex Ujoh and Coach Emmanuel Odah, who guided participants through the technical demands of officiating while emphasizing professionalism, discipline and consistency.

The graduation ceremony attracted basketball stakeholders, traditional rulers, security officials, sports administrators, members of the media, and development partners, including, Chairman of the FCT Basketball Association, HRH Eze Ifeanyi Eke, Assistant Commissioner of Police Hajiya Mariam (Retd.), Assistant Comptroller of Customs Mohammed Abba, Vice Chairman of the Niger State Basketball Association, Mr. Danladi Abubakar, alongside Mr. Benjamin Haruna of the Gombe State Basketball Association among others.

Speaking at the ceremony, ABA President and Founder, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abubakar Lucky Aliyu, described the graduation as more than the completion of a training course.

According to him, the programme represents the first step in building the human capacity required for sustainable basketball development across the country.

"The completion of this pilot programme marks not only the end of an intensive learning experience but also the beginning of a new chapter in the development of basketball officiating in Nigeria."

DC Aliyu noted that while players often receive public attention, no basketball ecosystem can thrive without competent referees, table officials, commissioners, coaches and administrators.

"Our vision is to establish a nationwide network of qualified and confident basketball officials who will serve grassroots competitions and progressively rise to state, national, continental and international assignments," he said.

He reminded the graduands, that receiving their certificates marked the beginning, not the end of their journey.

DC Aliyu added that ABA would continue to organise refresher courses, mentorship programmes and practical assignments during future competitions to ensure continuous development.

Following the success of the referees' clinic, ABA also plans to replicate similar programmes across the country, with Gombe, Taraba and Adamawa among the states being considered as the grassroots expansion continues.

Chairman of the FCT Basketball Association, HRH Eze Ifeanyi Eke, challenged the graduates to see the programme as the foundation of bigger opportunities rather than the destination.

"History is being made today. When I attended the Basketball Africa League, the referees I saw there were young people. They all started exactly the way you have started."

He urged participants to embrace continuous learning, seek mentorship and take advantage of technology to improve their understanding of the game.

"All of you here are potential world-class referees. Only you can dim your light."

For many participants, the clinic broadened their understanding of career opportunities within basketball beyond playing.

One of the graduates, Miss Jimoh Takiya admitted that before attending the programme, refereeing had never been part of her plans.

"I've seen the potential to go international. Basketball is not just about players. Referees, table officials and umpires all have important roles to play."

A former national basketball player who attended the graduation also described the initiative as a timely intervention, noting that young people have long lacked structured opportunities to develop as referees.

"I'm so happy to see young boys and girls with this level of interest. Honestly, this is their starting point."

The success of Dream Alive builds on the momentum generated by ABA's Training and Trainers' Clinic held earlier this year in Minna, Niger State, where close to 100 young athletes and coaches from more than ten academies participated in coaching development sessions.

Together, both programmes reflect ABA's broader strategy of strengthening every layer of grassroots basketball, from players and coaches to referees, technical officials and administrators.

As preparations gather pace for the launch of the ABA League, the newly certified officials are expected to play active roles in competitions across Abuja and, eventually, other states.

For ABA, the objective extends beyond producing referees. It is about building a sustainable basketball ecosystem where young Nigerians can discover opportunities, develop professionally and gradually progress to national and international assignments.

With Dream Alive successfully concluded and expansion plans already in motion, ABA has taken another deliberate step toward creating a stronger foundation for grassroots basketball. 

One whistle, one official and one opportunity at a time, with the event winding down, the chants, ‘We are ABA’ and the response ‘We are the Future’, set the tone for an exciting close of events.