..As Camp returns to Lagos with growing global influence
The steady rise of the Jordan Nwora Basketball Camp across Africa and its growing connection with the United States will continue in June as the developmental initiative heads to Ilupeju, Lagos, following successful outings in Monrovia, Liberia and Accra, Ghana.
The 2026 edition of the camp is expected to host 120 young players, 60 boys and 60 girls, in a three-day training and mentorship programme scheduled for June 14 to 16.
Retired Colonel Sam Ahmedu, who heads the Organising Committee, said the programme has continued to gain momentum because of the impact it is making on young athletes across the continent.
The camp’s growing international outlook will also be evident in Lagos, with two coaches from America expected to join the technical crew, further strengthening the bridge between African grassroots basketball and elite developmental systems abroad.
Ahmedu expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded in previous editions, particularly the reception and support received from basketball authorities in other African countries.
“From every other country apart from Nigeria the support has been great. As a matter of fact, these countries have powered the camp but in Nigeria it is a special case,” Ahmedu said.
The basketball development initiative, inspired by Jordan Nwora, has rapidly evolved into one of the continent’s notable youth-focused programmes, combining elite basketball training with mentorship opportunities for young players.
Ahmedu revealed that despite the expansion and positive reception across Africa, the Nigeria Basketball Federation has remained distant from the programme since inception.
“Maybe because the Foundation is from Nigeria but overall all the national federations have been supportive. In Nigeria, the first year we wrote to the Federation they didn’t do anything. The second year the same thing, so we decided to stop liaising with the Nigerian federation. But we will always do the camp in Nigeria, in the first place the camp is not for the Federation,” he explained.
According to him, the core objective remains empowering young people and creating opportunities for future stars regardless of institutional backing.
“It’s for the youth, as long as we can reach the youth we will keep doing it. But in other countries like in Ghana the President of the Federation and board members are present and so too it was in Liberia,” Ahmedu added.
With successful stops already recorded in Liberia and Ghana, and increased collaboration with coaches from America, the Jordan Nwora Basketball Camp continues to demonstrate steady growth as a platform committed to nurturing Africa’s next generation of basketball talent.
