Over 40,000 students from 54 secondary schools in Lagos, Nigeria have benefitted from the strategic partnership of NBA Africa and AFD, France’s public development institution after the conclusion of the third season of NBA & AFD Basketball Experience.
The two-day Basketball Experience took place at the National Stadium in Surelere, Lagos and it had dignitaries including General Consul of France in Nigeria, Laurent Favier; AFD Country Director for Nigeria, Xavier Muron; and Vice President and Head of NBA Nigeria, Gbemisola Abudu in attendance.
The celebration was organised around a symposium discussion on the core values of the Basketball Experience program and Physical Education teachers’ workshop.
Stakeholders at the event discussed mental health, hygiene and gender equality whilstbuilding the capacity of PE teachers and enhancing the learning experience for students in their respective schools.
Meanwhile, AFD country director for Nigeria, Xavier Muron and General Consul of France in Nigeria, Laurent Favier affirmed the French government’s commitment to promote social inclusion through sports development in Nigeria.
Muron said: “At AFD, we believe that sport is a powerful drive for change, fostering social and economic progress. Therefore, our participation to the Basketball Experience Program reflects our dedication in investing in youth, skills development, and the empowerment of communities.”
Favier added: “Over the past two years, with the financial support of the French Embassy, several initiatives have been launched to promote inclusion through sport across Nigeria. These efforts emphasize the transformative power of sport, not only as a tool for personal development but also as a means to foster inclusion, unity, and health across all communities.”
Jr. NBA & AFD Basketball Experience is a youth development program that features weekly basketball and life skills sessions to educate African youth about the importance of physical and mental health and wellbeing.
In a show of appreciation, Vice-President and Head of NBA Nigeria, Gbemisola Abudu commended the French Embassy and AFD for making basketball a focus for youth development in Nigeria.
“The Jr. NBA & AFD Basketball Experience has been essential in our commitment to make basketball more accessible to Nigerian youth and focusing on the importance of mental health, hygiene and gender equity,” Abudu remarked.
“We would like to thank AFD for their support and look forward to continuing to expand our youth development efforts in the country.”
