Picnews
The 26th edition of the MILO Basketball Championship National Finals produced historic outcomes as King Amakree Academy, Rivers State, and Government Secondary School (GSS), Gboko, Benue State, both secured their first-ever national titles, further cementing the competition’s reputation as Nigeria’s premier platform for discovering and nurturing young basketball talent.
The National Finals, held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, featured four conference champions drawn from across the country, alongside the two best-performing runners-up. Following an intense group stage, the top teams progressed to the final round, where new champions emerged in both the boys’ and girls’ categories.
In the girls’ final, Government Secondary School (GSS), Gboko delivered a commanding performance to defeat multiple-time champions St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata, Bayelsa State, with a convincing 68–36 victory, clinching their maiden national title after an impressive tournament run. Jersey No. 6, Ada Friday, stood out and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the girls’ competition.
The boys’ final was equally dramatic, as King Amakree Academy, Rivers State, edged past three-time champions and defending winners Father O’Connell Science College, Niger State, in a tightly contested 56–54 win to lift their first national trophy in school history. Jersey No. 8, Godswill Mene, was named MVP of the boys’ category for his outstanding performance.
For over two decades, the MILO Basketball Championship has remained a cornerstone of grassroots sports development in Nigeria, providing a structured platform for young athletes to showcase their talent. This year’s edition engaged more than 13,000 secondary schools nationwide, with competitions staged across the Savannah, Central, Atlantic, and Western Conferences before culminating in the national finals in Lagos.
Beyond competition, the championship continues to serve as a developmental platform that promotes values such as discipline, resilience, teamwork, and self-confidence. Organisers say these qualities are central not only to athletic success but also to shaping responsible future leaders.
Speaking at the finals, Wassim ElHusseini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to youth development through sports, noting that the MILO Basketball Championship remains a key part of its Creating Shared Value agenda.
He explained that the initiative goes beyond basketball, serving as a platform for young people to develop life skills such as teamwork, perseverance, and self-belief, which are essential for personal and community development.
Also speaking, Gilbert Tweneboah-Koduah, Category Lead for MILO, described this year’s edition as a powerful demonstration of the championship’s core mission, adding that every participating school has an equal opportunity to succeed regardless of background or previous performance.
He noted that the emergence of first-time champions underscores MILO’s commitment to creating inclusive opportunities that allow young people to discover and maximise their potential through sport.
The championship also featured an inclusive wheelchair basketball exhibition match involving young para-athletes, highlighting MILO’s commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity in sports development.
Winning schools were rewarded with trophies, cash prizes, basketball kits, and MILO products in recognition of their outstanding performances throughout the competition.
As the tournament continues to expand its legacy, the MILO Basketball Championship remains a key driver of youth empowerment in Nigeria, helping young athletes build confidence, character, and life skills. Together with the MILO Building Champs initiative—which reached approximately seven million children in 2025 through school-based physical activity programmes—the championship continues to promote active lifestyles and holistic youth development across the country.
Editorial Contact
Lois Nweke, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Specialist
- Email: Lois.Nweke@ng.nestle.com
