Junior D’Tigers and Junior D’Tigress open preparatory camp in Abuja on Tuesday, with XEJet confirmed as Official Travel Partner
The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has invited 36 players — 15 boys and 21 girls — to the national preparatory camp for the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket Championships. Camp opens on Tuesday, 28 July 2026 at the Athletes High Performance Centre, Package B, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The Junior D’Tigers will be guided by Coach Michael Iikima, while Coach Peter Akindele leads the Junior D’Tigress. The championships proper will hold between 4 and 15 August 2026 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
All invited players and officials have been directed to report with international passports, yellow cards and birth certificates. Final selection for the travelling squads will be determined strictly by performance in camp.
“Every invited player reports with their passport, yellow card and birth certificate,” said NBBF Secretary General, Mrs. Amina O. Amanchi. “There will be no exceptions and no late documentation. We owe it to the players and to the competition to arrive in Abidjan beyond reproach.”
*Both Teams Qualified*
The Junior D’Tigers won the FIBA Africa Zone 3 Qualifiers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso earlier this month without conceding a single defeat. Nigeria opened with a 96–35 win over Benin and followed it with a 98–54 victory over hosts Burkina Faso, before completing the double with 101–43 and 100–54 results in the return fixtures — four games, four wins, and the region’s automatic ticket to Abidjan.
The Junior D’Tigress qualified automatically for this edition and did not contest a regional qualifier.
Nigeria’s under-18 boys’ programme remains among the most decorated on the continent. The Junior D’Tigers hold six continental titles — won in 1987, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006 — a haul matched only by Egypt, alongside three bronze medals. Nigeria has also represented Africa at six editions of the FIBA U19 World Cup. The first of those bronze medals was won in Luanda in 1980 by a Nigerian squad that included a 17-year-old Hakeem Olajuwon — the tournament that took him to the University of Houston and, in time, to two NBA championships and the Naismith Hall of Fame.
*XEJet Named Official Travel Partner*
The Federation has announced XEJet as Official Travel Partner of the U18 national teams. XEJet has dedicated a charter aircraft to convey the Junior D’Tigers and Junior D’Tigress to Abidjan and return them to Nigeria at the conclusion of the championships.
The arrangement extends a partnership already tested this season. XEJet provided the charter that carried the boys’ team to and from the Zone 3 Qualifiers in Ouagadougou, and XEJet Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ayuba Iza, travelled to Burkina Faso to visit the squad during the tournament.
The Federation has placed on record its gratitude to XEJet and to Mr. Iza personally.
“Getting our players to a competition rested, together and on schedule is not a luxury — it is the difference between competing and merely attending,” said NBBF President, Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida. “XEJet flew our boys to Ouagadougou and back, and they will fly both teams to Abidjan and home again. On behalf of the Federation, we thank them.”
For XEJet, Mr. Iza framed the partnership as a challenge to the wider Nigerian private sector.
“When I visited the boys in Ouagadougou, what struck me was how much talent this country produces and how little stands between that talent and the world stage — often just logistics. That is a problem business can solve. We are proud to carry both teams to Abidjan, and I would like to see many more Nigerian companies decide that our young athletes are worth investing in.”
*What Is At Stake*
The 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket is a 12-nation championship in each category and doubles as the African qualifying event for the 2027 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in Pardubice, Czechia. The champions and runners-up in both the boys’ and girls’ tournaments will earn Africa’s places at the global showpiece.
Nigeria will line up against a field that includes hosts Côte d’Ivoire and defending champions Mali.
*Invited Players*
*Boys* — Coach: Michael Iikima
1. Victor Sunday Endurance
2. Okoh Thomas Agbo
3. John Isiah
4. Otaluwa Daniel Alhaji
5. Augustine Timothy
6. Asimolowo Kehinde
7. Idornigie Emmanuel
8. Aribo Olakunle Andrew
9. Victor Emeka Nwafor
10. Unekwe Ekene ThankGod
11. Kayode Olakunle
12. Ogbona Joshua
13. Somtochukwu Jude Aniegbunam
14. Tega Onosh
15. Bobby Tobi Ifedinezi
*Girls* — Coach: Peter Akindele
1. Adeoye Zainab
2. Kehinde Jesutofunmi
3. Adelaja Zainab
4. Alli Khadijah K.
5. Eihawaguan Oseto
6. Hembam Sewe Vera
7. Tyosar Suurshater Priscilla
8. Abigail Folorunsho
9. Okolo Chidinma
10. Igwe Juliet Chizoba
11. Aleje Cecilia Sunday
12. Judith Joshua Auta
13. Gift Anani
14. Abali Anastiecia John
15. Lawrence Becky
16. Dike Victoria Nneke
17. Okpe Mavellous Gbedeojo
18. Idehen Osarobo Osaruonamen
19. Aladelua Precious Grace
20. Onajomo Ogheneochuko
21. Olatunde Karimot Ajoke
Enquiries:
NBBF Secretary General
*Mrs. Amina O. Amanchi*
Telephone: +234 803 226 6551
