The road to the 26th MILO Basketball Championship National Finals
reached a significant milestone with the conclusion of the Western Conference,
the fourth and final regional conference of the championship. The conference
saw Ado Grammar School, Ekiti State, and Davidhall International College, Lagos
State, emerge champions in the girls' and boys' categories respectively,
securing the final places at the National Finals.
For 26 years, MILO has remained committed to youth development through
school sports, using basketball as a platform to inspire discipline, teamwork,
resilience and confidence among young people. This year, over 13,000 schools
applied to participate in the MILO Basketball Championship nationwide,
reflecting the continued growth and impact of the platform.
Nine schools in each category competed with passion and determination
for the final available places in the championship finale. In the girls'
category, Ado Grammar School, Ekiti State, secured a hard-fought 53–49 victory
over Lanreleke Academy, Osun State. The win marks a significant achievement for
the school as it qualifies for the National Finals for the first time.
In the boys' category, Davidhall International College, Lagos State,
defeated God's Blessings Comprehensive College, Oyo State, in a thrilling
final, emerging champions with an 82–81 victory to secure their place at the
National Finals.
The opening address was delivered by the Category Manager, MILO, Nestlé
Nigeria Plc, Mr. Gilbert Tweneboah-Koduah, who reaffirmed MILO's commitment to
youth development through sport and highlighted the positive impact of the
championship on young people across the country "At MILO, we believe that
sport is one of the most powerful tools for shaping character and building
future leaders. Through the Basketball Championship, we continue to provide
young people with opportunities to develop discipline, resilience, teamwork and
determination, qualities that will serve them well beyond the court’’
In the girls' category, Miracle Akinola of Ado Grammar School, Ekiti
State, was named Most Valuable Player. Wearing jersey number 10, she delivered
an outstanding performance, contributing 22 points out of her team's total of
53 points.
In the boys' category, Emmanuel Saleh of Davidhall International
College, Lagos State, was named Most Valuable Player. Wearing jersey number 7,
he contributed 19 points out of his team's 82 points and played a key role in
securing victory for his team.
The event was attended by dignitaries from the Oyo State Ministry of
Education, as well as representatives of the Nigeria School Sport Federation
(NSSF), the National Council on School Sport (NCSS), and FIBA.
The conclusion of the Western Conference marks the completion of the
regional phase of the 26th MILO Basketball Championship, following successful
conferences across the country.
The Savannah Conference saw Government Secondary School, Zing, Taraba
State, emerge girls' champions, while Family Support Programme Secondary
School, Katsina State, won the boys' category. The Central Conference followed,
producing Government Secondary School, Gboko, Benue State, and Father O'Connell
Science College, Niger State, as champions in the girls' and boys' categories
respectively. At the Atlantic Conference, St. Jude Girls Secondary School,
Bayelsa State, and King Amakree Academy, Rivers State, secured the regional
titles in the girls' and boys' categories respectively.
With the conclusion of the Western Conference, all regional champions
for the 26th MILO Basketball Championship have now emerged, completing the
lineup for the National Finals scheduled to take place on July 2, 2026, at the
National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
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