Basketball initiative opens doors for girls in northern Nigeria

A grassroots initiative called Grassroots To Greatness is helping girls in northern Nigeria train and compete in basketball, a sport traditionally dominated by men in the region. The program, founded by youth advocate Jawahir Bello, allows players to participate while respecting cultural and religious values through modest attire. Despite initial concerns, community stakeholders have embraced the effort, giving girls a chance to pursue their athletic dreams.

The program’s founder, Jawahir Bello, designed G2G to respect Islamic and cultural norms, providing custom hijabs, long vests, and tights so players remain fully covered. The initiative works through local coaches who already run community teams, helping mobilize participants across up to nine states. Financial support—covering transport, equipment, and stipends for all teams—removes barriers that often keep girls from competing.

Players like Khamila Sani Ibrahim previously had to hide training from relatives or face dismissive attitudes from male peers. G2G tournaments offer a rare female-only environment, where participants receive jerseys and gear regardless of win or loss. Beyond basketball, the program emphasizes life skills such as teamwork, confidence, and discipline, as noted by player Fatima Diouf.