The National Basketball Association’s (NBA) first Her Time To Play (HTTP) Leadership Series in Nigeria took place on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls in Lagos, featuring two panel discussions and a fireside chat with NBA Africa Vice President and NBA Nigeria Country Head, Gbemisola Abudu.
The event gathered 87 young women who attended the event aimed at driving youth development and providing girls and women with connection, collaboration, and active engagement through basketball, on and off the court.
The first panel, themed ‘Owning your Power, focused on leadership, confidence and breaking barriers, featuring Executive Vice President of Music at Chocolate City Music and Founder of The Nahla Initiative, Ibukun Abidoye, Meta Head of Public Policy of West Africa, Sade Dada and Partner at McKinsey Nigeria, Mayowa Kuyoro.
The second panel, themed ‘Beyond the Game’, focused on unlocking diverse career opportunities in a changing world with Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Olori Beauty Enterprises LTD, Olutoyin M. Odulate, Essential Media Group Chief Executive Officer, Titi Ogufere and Founder of Creele Animation Studios, Nissi Ogulu.
The all-female leadership series builds on HTTP initiatives held in Angola and South Africa that has reached over 2,000 girls and women since 2023.
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The evening concluded with a fireside chat with Abudu, moderated by Nigerian television host and presenter, Bolanle Olukanni.
HTTP is the NBA’s initiative targeting girls, globally that builds on the Jr. NBA programming, a grassroot development initiative focused on development of youth and coaches.
