By Ado Salisu, Kano
The 25th edition of the Olumide Oyedeji Basketball Camp holds from August 31 to September 5, 2026, at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, with more than 500 young basketball enthusiasts expected to participate.
The annual camp, organised by the Olumide Oyedeji Youth Foundation, will bring together boys and girls between the ages of and 18 for six days of basketball training, mentorship and talent development.
About 25 coaches, trainers and instructors are expected to guide the participants through various aspects of the game, while daily activities will run from 9am to 3pm, with a refreshment break scheduled around midday.
Over the years, the camp has developed into one of Nigeria’s notable grassroots basketball talent development programmes, producing more than 100 national team players and helping numerous youngsters secure academic and sporting opportunities.
Among its notable male alumni are NBA player Charles Bassey, D’Tigers center Efe Abogidi, Churchill Odia, Daniel Ochefu and Samuel Tobi Ariyibi, while the female graduates include D’Tigress star Nkechi Akashili, Uju Ugoka, former Olympian Rashidat Sadiq and former Nigerian Women’s League MVP Tokunbo Ijomah.
The foundation has also used the camp as a major scouting platform for its academic and sporting empowerment programmes, awarding more than 300 scholarships to talented participants.
Top performers and Most Valuable Players have earned opportunities to attend high schools and colleges in the United States and Europe.
One notable beneficiary, Ikenna Alozie, secured a pathway to Dream City Christian School in Arizona.
Outstanding players have also progressed into elite basketball development programmes, including the NBA Academy Africa, while the camp provides career counselling, personal development sessions and motivational talks for participants whose futures may extend beyond professional basketball.
The initiative reflects the vision of its founder, Olumide Oyedeji, a Vice President of Nigeria Olympics Committee who is also a former Nigerian international and captain of D’Tigers who enjoyed a successful professional career in the NBA, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Oyedeji was selected 42nd overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2000 NBA Draft and went on to play three seasons in the NBA, featuring for the SuperSonics and Orlando Magic.
As captain of D’Tigers from 2006 to 2016, he played a key role in Nigeria’s historic achievements, including the country’s first AfroBasket title in 2015 and its first Olympic appearance at the London 2012 Games.
Beyond the court, Oyedeji has continued to make an impact in sports administration and Olympic affairs, becoming the first African to serve as Secretary-General of the World Olympians Association.
The 25th edition of his basketball camp is therefore expected to combine the discovery of the next generation of Nigerian basketball stars with the broader objective of using sport as a vehicle for education, mentorship and youth empowerment.
