…As Niger, FCT win 25th national finals
It was a defining moment for thousands of secondary school students who participated in the 2025 Milo Schools basketball championship at the National Stadium Lagos.
The basketball championship which started with about 13,000 secondary schools across four conferences was reduced to just 12 schools for both boys and girls in the national championship in Lagos.
For the participating schools at the national stadium, it was a moment of igniting the power of sports and sportsmanship, especially for students who travelled from faraway states of Niger, Kano, Bayelsa, FCT, Abuja, and close-by states of Oyo and Osun after winning their various conferences.
“At Nestle Milo, we believe that sport is one of life’s greatest treasures. It teaches teamwork, resilience and respect. It builds confidence, discipline and leadership. Young people caring to dream, rising to compete, and learning to lead; this is the power of sport,” Boladele Odunlami, Commercial Manager, Nestle Nigeria, said.
He disclosed that Nestle remain committed to the annual basketball championship, not just as a sponsor, but as a partner. According to him, the skills learned during the national championship will shape the future of the students, long after the final moments of the annual basketball championship.
“Through the Milo Basketball Championship, we have supported hundreds of young athletes. Every child deserves the chance to compete, to grow and shine,” Odunlami said.
Father O’Connell Science College of Niger State and Government Secondary School, Karu (FCT), Abuja emerged champions of the 2025 MILO National Secondary Schools Basketball Championship in the boys and girls respectively.
Now in its 25th edition, this year’s finale held yesterday at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos ended on dramatic notes as both the Niger State’s representative and FCT ‘s flag bearers respectively ran away with the male’s and female’s titles.
The male’s final ended in a nail-biting finish after Isaiah John’s free throw in the dying seconds of extra time, delivered a close 66-64 victory to Father O’Connell Science College over their hard-fighting rivals from Bayelsa State, Bishop Dimieari Grammar School.
In the first quarter, Bishop Dimieari Grammar School led 20–14 and maintained their lead in the second quarter by 31–27, before Father O’Connell Science College bounced back to take a 44–39 lead in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter ended at 57–57, setting the stage for the 5th (a five minutes extra period) that saw the Niger boys emerge champions by 66 to 64 points.
In the female’s final played earlier, Government Secondary School, Karu, FCT, Abuja over-powered LanreLeke Academy of Osun State by 55–42 points to win the national championship.
Both the male and female category winner received a N3 million prize money, the two runners-up earned N2 million apiece, product supplies and some sporting items, including basketball.
In the boys’ classifications, Government Secondary School, Gwarinpa Life Camp (FCT), took third place with a N1.5 million prize, followed by Government Secondary School (Adamawa), David Hall College (Lagos), and Ahmadiyya College (Kano) in fourth, fifth, and sixth places respectively.
Meanwhile, Government Girls Secondary School (Adamawa) finished third in the girl’s category and also earned N1.5 million, while St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School (Bayelsa), Onireke High School, GRA (Oyo), and Ahmadiyya College (Kano) rounded out the top six.
