Pamodzi Boss, Itemuagbor, Sees Bright Future for Nigerian Basketball with NNPC Deal

Chief Mike Itemuagbor, Chairman and CEO of Pamodzi Sports Marketing, has hailed the proposed partnership between the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and NNPC Limited as a turning point for the sport in the country.

Itemuagbor, a veteran in sports marketing both locally and internationally, described the deal as ‘the answer to Nigeria’s basketball growth, especially in the domestic scene.’

Speaking midweek, he emphasized that the structure of the package ensures that players and teams will be the primary beneficiaries.

‘The very good aspect of this package is that the players and teams are the real beneficiaries. When we get this through, players and teams will celebrate it,’ he said.

Itemuagbor explained that the deal would create a system where clubs can earn sustainable revenue while opening doors for further marketing opportunities.

‘We can have a system where the teams earn good money and have greater opportunities for further marketing for themselves. Basketball is a huge platform across the world, and that is the way it should be in Nigeria. Apart from football, I don’t see any other sport that can outshine basketball here, and that is the understanding we are all leveraging on and working with,’
he added.

Through Pamodzi’s sister company, M4S, Itemuagbor is packaging the deal alongside other sporting events.

He urged stakeholders to put aside personal interests and focus on initiatives that will drive basketball’s growth.

‘The plan to get NNPC on board should be embraced by everyone who truly loves basketball in Nigeria. This deal will help the league here, and when we get this right, many other things will follow,’ he said.

He also stressed that Pamodzi’s involvement is purely for the good of the game, not for power struggles.

‘My company is only interested in the game and not power, and so my concern is for us all to help clean up the image and make the system very attractive to sponsors,’ Itemuagbor noted.

Drawing parallels with the United States, he remarked: ‘Basketball is super fun and cash-yielding in the USA, and we can replicate such here.’

Stakeholders are optimistic that by the end of the first quarter of 2026, the deal will be finalized, making it the biggest investment in Nigerian basketball history.