I will revive Nigeria’s basketball – Engr Ahmadu Musa Kida

To some persons, Engineer Ahmadu Musa Kida is the best thing to have happened to the game of basketball in Nigeria.The man who was elected President of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) on June 13, 2017 in Abuja in the Ministry of Sports sanctioned elections spoke with me on his plans for the game, his family, business and so much more.


Q: May we meet you sir.

A: My name is Ahmadu Musa Kida, chairman Rivers State Basketball Association, South-South Zonal Representative and the elected Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) President 2017-2019. I am also the Deputy Managing Director of TOTAL Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited in charge of the Deep Water district. I am equally the Secretary General of Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA) AFRICA Zone III.

Q: What was growing up like?

A: I had a very humble beginning; I’m the eldest of a family of 30 children. My father was an educationist in the second republic and North Eastern state. He rose to become Grand Ghadi of Borno State. I lost him two years ago.

Q: Tell us about your educational background

A: I went to Federal Government College (FGC) Sokotofrom 1973 to 1978, where I started playing basketball. After graduating from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria in 1984, I went to the prestigious French Petroleum Institute for a Post Graduate Diploma (PDG); attended many management, technical and business courses at the University of Port Harcourt, Havard Business School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); member of the Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria (COREN), Nigerian Institute of Management, Society of Petroleum Engineers and a Life Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. I practiced my profession of oil and gas in most continents of the world.

Q: Where are you from?

A: Basically I prefer to be called and seen as a Nigerian. I am from Kida in Hawal Local Government Area; I was raised in Borno State, and I spent my whole working life of 31 years in Port Harcourt as my base.

Q: Tell us about your immediate family
A: I have a wonderful wife, Hauwa – that makes me feel I am lucky to be part of her life. We have four kids. My first daughter is Yusra; first son is Najeeb, second son is Mohammed and an angel of a daughter as fourth and last called Mariam.

Q: How did you meet your wife?

A: We met in Maiduguri where my parents and family live. Her father is a retired Army General; his family was also based in Maiduguri at that time. I met her through one of my sisters.

Q: What was the attraction or was it love at first sight?

A: More like flash love at sight. I knew it was her, and she was stubborn that I was for her too.

Q: How did you know she was the one?

A: Immediate flow or connection, my brother. Her behavior towards me, her openness, firmness, understanding, and, most especially, her willingness to help “everybody” she came into contact with… it felt like I had known her for a long time the very first time I met her.

Q: What does she do and what is her level of education?

A: She is an Economics graduate from the University of Maiduguri and she works full time at home taking care of the house and kids.

Q: Tell us the sporting side of you

A: I started playing basketball from FGC Sokoto around 1975 during the Inter House Sports.I represented my school and at the same time, I was represented Borno State at the intermediate level. Coming to School of Basic Studies in ABU in 1979, I ascended to the ABU team and I was part of the Nigerian Universities Games (NUGA) 1980, 1982 gold medalist teams.

We won the silver medal in 1984. Still on NUGA, I was gold medalist in 1988 with University of Port Harcourt. In between those times on the national scene, I played and won gold medal with the Kaduna State team in 1980 in Bauchi during the inter-state championships; member and champion with Kadda Stars basketball team of Kaduna State NABBA Zone 4 Championship in 1980; member Leventis Buffaloes in 1982. I was a member Niger Potters of Minna in 1983, and member Rivers State basketball team from 1985.

Internationally, I was a member Nigerian junior national team (with Hakeem Olajuwon) that won bronze in Angola in 1980; member ABU team to the West African Universities Games (WAUG) in Yamassoukro, Ivory Coast; member national team to the World Universities Games in Romania in 1981; member AG Leventis team to the  African Champions Cup 1982… these are the ones I can remember.

Q: How did you develop love for basketball? Did anyone play the sport in your family?

A: Passion my brother. I always have competitive edge in me and the teamwork basketball absolutely required to be consistent winners. I actually didn’t have too much time to “develop” as I shot straight to senior category after I started playing competitively and along the line, and it looked as if it was the easiest sport that can be played everywhere. And it’s still my belief.

Q: Aside basketball, what other sport did you play growing up?

A: Pole vault, marathon, goalkeeping in football, swimming, squash, 400m in athletics and cycling.

Q: If not engineering, what other profession interests you?

A: My present main work: management (my district is about 4,000 people who work for me), Finance, Human Resources, teaching and mentorship

Q: How easy was it for you to combine education with playing sports?

A: It was in those days when it was very very, very difficult for people to understand that you could be a serious student reading an Engineering course and also be a serious sportsman. I did at that time have some of my lecturers actually tease that if I was so interested in sports, I should go and read “sports engineering” — whatever that meant. That did not discourage me from combining what I thought was the physical discipline of sportsmanship, the intellectual, mental development and enhancement it played in my education.

Of course, there were some difficult situations where my basketball coaches in those days had to go to the level of the vice chancellor for me to be released from my faculty to go to camp or go out of town to play for the university for long periods. So yes, there were really some trying times in those days when it was difficult to combine sports and my studies, but I went by the words of one of my coaches who said that a dull person cannot play basketball.

Q: Toughest decision ever taken in your life

A: There have been quite a few tough decisions in my life. But the one that I would say was the earliest and toughest would be when I had to decide whether or not to go out of the country on scholarship to play basketball, or to actually take up a regular 9-to-5 job. I don’t have any regrets as I am able to convert the missed “professional basketball” aspect of my life to a motivation to try and give every youth in any way I can to express their talents to go to the highest level of the game.

Q: Introvert or extrovert?

A: I know that I confuse people who try to guess if I am introvert or extrovert. For me,It really depends on the company of the people around me or the environment. In the company of people that I know very well, they think I am extra, extra, extra extrovert, whereas with those I am not familiar with, I am observant and that gets interpreted to mean introvert. Suffice to say though that I was a complete extrovert in my hey days.

Q: Any regrets in life?

A: I’m just like any human being who will always have some form of regrets in some circumstances. However with passage of time, you get healed of those regrets and move on with life.

Q: Any phobia?

A: I don’t have any phobia in particular but the sight of blood gives me chills

Q: Role model

A: My role model and mentor was truly my father of blessed memory. His role model was the Prime Minister of Nigeria in the 60s, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and he tried to emulate him.

Q: Kind of music

A: I like most music especially if it has rhythm… so I like soul, blues and funk jazz

A: How religious are you?

A: I am a religious Muslim and I try to practice my religion to the best of my ability.

Q: Can you recall the pranks you played as a kid that got you into serious trouble?

A: I think I was a quiet and well behaved kid … so my mum tells me. However, I remember I was part of some junior boys who set up a bucket of water on top of a door to teach one senior bully a lesson…. of course “bulala” followed for all of us.

Q: You are considered a very rich man. True or false?

A: I just thank God for blessing me with what I have in terms of the assets (tangible and intangible). But, more importantly, I don’t think how rich one is should be defined by how much money the person has; rather it should be by how contented you are with what you have. In that respect, I am extremely rich at heart.

Q: Most cherished assets

A: My most cherished assets will definitely be my family – immediate and extended.

Q: First automobile and favorite brand

A: My first car was a Volkswagen Beetle and It was reputed to be the fastest in Port Harcourt. My favorite car brand is BMW.

Q: Likes and dislikes

A: I like real people who have the ability to disagree with me and we are still best of friends. I also adore my privacy. I don’t like arrogance and people who play god.

Q: Have you ever been betrayed by friends?

A: Yes, I have been betrayed by friends and some of them very, very exceptionally close to me.  But I just think that it’s a fact of life that as we grow older, we appreciate things in different ways and people change. The important thing is to learn from such incidents and experiences and move on.

Q: What is that thing you can’t do without?

A: I cannot do without Nigerian food for too long … wherever it is that I am

Q: You hold an exotic position in an oil company, how do you keep the women away?

A: I generally respect people and that includes women. I am quite strict about keeping work and personal things completely apart. All my female friends and acquaintances understand that.

Q: Have you ever been stalked by a woman?

A: I think I am approachable which means nobody needs to stalk me. I encourage space for contact… so any stalker can only be doing that out of mischief.

Q: What is the secret of your meteoric rise to the top?

A: Sheer Hard work, dedication and a lot of patience… I believe opportunities knock on the doors of people who work hard and are blessed enough to recognise them.

Q: Favorite colours please.

A: My favorite colour is blue… then brown. Blue, for me, is always the connotation of peace, calm and natural power of the sea. I used to be able to sit around waters hours on end enjoying the freshness and naturalness of that environment. I picked up brown colour along the way… I guess I didn’t have to wash my clothes too frequently anymore.

Q: When did you make your first millions?

A: Honestly I can’t remember when I made my first million naira … but it’s a while back.

Q: What did you do with your first salary?

A: My first salary … hmm, I remember vividly sending some home to my parents to bless it. That was also my first camp sports for under 12 kids at the Police College in Port Harcourt – a celebration was also in order.

Q: Most memorable moments

A: My most memorable moment was when I got admitted into a special club of a few of the company very trusted employees … who have shown loyalty, dedication and outstanding performance to improve the fortunes of the company.

Q: How do you unwind and what is your favourite food?

A: I jog these days and play basketball in front of my house at times. My favourite Nigerian food: tuwo and miankuka with man shanu or garri with edikayikon soup.

Q: How many languages do you speak?

A: I speak English, French, Hausa, Bura and a little stint of an understanding of the Kanuri language

Q: Some are of the opinion that your ultimate target is the Government House in Maiduguri. How true is this?

A: I am not at all aiming for the Government House in Borno State. My ultimate target is to get basketball to be played and enjoyed in every community in Nigeria.

Q: Why do people think you had a special relationship with the former Sports Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung?

A: I saw the Minister through many prisms. There are strong similarities of character when he was acting in his official capacity and his general behavior towards people especially the neglected youth. So I never shut up when he was being misrepresented or misunderstood, as we share common traits and passion for deprived people

Q: You were unopposed for the post of President during the Nigeria BasketballFederation (NBBF) elections in Abuja. Whatwas the magic?

A: The Magic at the elections was that the grassroots stakeholders knew me for the roles I played in helping basketball in their various states, zones or constituencies. As you can imagine, proper campaigning takes a long time if you are starting from the scratch or if the stakeholders don’t know you. In the case of Basketball, the true stakeholders came together and decided that I was their most known ideal candidate and that they could trust me to deliver to them the fruits of basketball.

Q: The worst kept secret is that you spend your money in sponsoring basketball in Nigeria. Is this for political reasons?

A: My interest and indeed the interest of my foundation – the AMK Foundation is to provide as much as we can, an enabling environment and means so that players will have better chances and opportunities than I did, and be appreciated for their sweat.

Q: What should Nigerians expect from your leadership as NBBF President?

A: Nigerian basketball can expect inclusive leadership, progress and development of all the categories of players of basketball. I will unite the basketball family and ensure that every good contribution and suggestions will be taken on board whatever the nature if it will move basketball forward … I will not tolerate disrespect and unfairness during my tenure. I expect all to work towards the same grassroots vision to put Nigeria basketball at par with the best or even surpass any African country within the next two years in terms of footprint. I would aggressively encourage the development of professional basketball.

Q: What of the challenges that you envisage and how you plan to tackle them?

A: Mindset is what must change immediately … it’s not about me vs you, but it’s about allowing the game of basketball to be played all over the country; that must be the focus. We need to improve how the national leagues are structured, and evolve initiatives that will keep our players to busy all year round.

Q: The D’Tigers is populated by foreign based players, can’t the league produce players for the national team?

A: I am convinced that local players can provide an equivalent standard to the recruited players from outside. My promise is that the basketball federation will bring the game to every willing Nigerian doorstep

Q: The Women and National Leagues have sponsors but how would you rate the standard and what plans do you have to improve the leagues?

A: I must say that we thank the sponsors that have maintained faith in Nigerian women basketball. I however do not think that they are happy with the returns of their sponsorship in terms of quality and that is apparent. Mine will be that, as well as for the women, men and grassroots programmes; sponsors will be queuing up for the benefits package my federation can showcase in a sustainable manner.

Q: The junior national teams are allegedly populated by over aged players. How do you intend to put an end to this?

A: All our players will be registered through a national system and a proper follow up will be done to confirm their ages. Most of the cases of overage do need the coaches or technical crew to have endorsed them in the first place. I will not tolerate this during my tenure.

Q: Permit me to ask again, you mean you don’t have any political ambition? You are really not eyeing the Maiduguri State House or the senate?

A: No political ambition can be as actively interesting to me as the potential impact my federation will make on Nigerians.

But generally speaking, we all live in a political world. And our generation now is not as involved in politics to make our country a better place. Instead, we say it’s “dirty” and later we complain when others take over. Unfortunately, I belong to that bandwagon. But presently I am apolitical and generally advise on areas where I feel competent to offer constructive ideas.

Q: How can the almost 10 years leadership crisis in the NBBF be resolved?

A: It will be resolved … that I assure you. How? Don’t ask me yet. I have my own roadmap.

Q: Who are you’re all-time favourite athlete, Nigeria and the world?

A: Scottie Pipen/Charles Barkley,KanuNwankwo and Usain Bolt

Q: You were a very fast driver on the streets of Port Harcourt with your Beetle. At what point did you decide to slow down?

A: Growing up and getting older has a way of making one understand that it’s getting safely to the destination that matters and not how fast. And no matter how slow others are, I was only always a few minutes earlier than them on arrival… so I started thinking more about safety than speed.

Q: Can you explain what you mean by ‘Most memorable moment was when I got admitted into a special club of a few company trusted employees … who have shown loyalty and top performance ‘.

A: It’s a reserved club for the staff who have shown that they are loyal, dedicated and displayed serious capacity to lead the company’s huge oil and gas operations.

Q: Is main stream politics something you might venture into later in life?

A: Time will always tell, but presently I am focused on making Nigerian basketball work.

Q: You picked Kanu as one of your favourite sport persons in Nigeria, why? How much of football do you follow and which club you support in Nigeria and in the world?

A: Kanu belongs to a special breed of the most “naturally” talented players in his days. He is able to singlehandedly turn around loosing situations to winning ones. Kanu is a very humble gentleman who thinks and does a lot for the underprivileged.

 Q: Why do we have foreign coaches for our senior national teams?

A: We have strict criteria for the choice of our coaches in general. Obviously in cases where we have to make choices between coaches of similar competence, Nigerians will have an edge.

Q: Do you follow the Super Eagles? If yes, which is your all-time best squad?

A: Yep … Atlanta 1996 Olympic squad.

Q: When was the last time you visited a Nigeria stadium to watch a league match and what’s your opinion about the domestic league?

A: I was at the National Stadium Abuja on the 29th June, 2017 to watch the Kwese Basketball League. There are huge areas for improvement. I will elaborate more clearly when we finalise our strategy so that the leagues are captured holistically.

Q: The most difficult phase in your life

A: I always try to be positive but in 1985-86, I never understood the French language before then but, I had to learn “academic” French language in a few months to be able to follow an oil and gas post graduate course taught in French. It was interesting to learn the language and French culture.