The intense race to the 26th MILO Basketball Championship National Finals reached a thrilling crescendo at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State, with the successful conclusion of the Atlantic Conference. The highly competitive regional tournament saw grassroots basketball talent at its finest, as teams battled fiercely for regional supremacy and a coveted spot at the upcoming national showpiece.
Emerging from a gruelling field of contenders, St. Jude Girls Secondary School of Amarata, Bayelsa State, and King Amakree Academy of Rivers State rose to the occasion to claim the conference crowns in the girls’ and boys’ categories, respectively. Their triumphs solidify their positions as the undisputed powerhouses of the Atlantic region.
For nearly three decades, Nestlé MILO has sustained an unwavering commitment to youth development through school sports across Nigeria. By utilising basketball as a foundational platform, the championship continues to inspire vital life skills—such as discipline, teamwork, resilience, and confidence—among thousands of young Nigerians nationwide.
The sheer scale and enduring relevance of the tournament were fully on display this season, with over 13,000 schools applying to participate across the federation. This massive turnout underscores the championship’s status as the premier grassroots basketball development pipeline in West Africa.
In the Atlantic Conference, nine elite school teams in each category competed with immense passion, knowing that only the ultimate regional champions would advance to the next stage. The format left absolutely no room for error, forcing coaches and players to bring their tactical best to the court from the very first whistle.
The girls’ final proved to be a masterclass in tactical dominance, as St. Jude Girls Secondary School completely outpaced their opponents, Urhobo College, with a commanding 46−25 victory. The Bayelsa-based team utilised a high-tempo transition game and airtight defence to stifle their rivals and coast to a comfortable win.
Conversely, the boys’ final kept fans on the edge of their seats in a nail-biting, end-to-end thriller that went down to the final seconds. King Amakree Academy ultimately showed superior composure under pressure, securing a hard-fought 47−44 victory over a resilient Urhobo College side to claim the boys’ title.
Individual brilliance was also spotlighted during the grand finale, with the tournament’s Most Valuable Players (MVPs) delivering tournament-defining performances. In the girls’ division, Anthonia Obokawe of St. Jude Girls, wearing jersey number 4 put on a clinical display, contributing a vital 12 points to secure her MVP honours.
The boys’ MVP award went to Edmund Hart of King Amakree Academy, who put the team on his back with an outstanding offensive performance. Hart proved unstoppable on the court, netting a staggering 22 points out of his team’s total of 47 to anchor their historic victory.
Addressing the stakeholders and press, Mr. Gilbert Tweneboah-Koduah, Category Manager for MILO, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, praised the exceptional grit displayed by the student-athletes. He emphasised that the championship’s ultimate goal extends far beyond winning trophies on the court, focusing instead on shaping future leaders.
“Every game played at this championship reminds us of the courage, determination, and promise that exist in our young people,” Tweneboah-Koduah stated. “These students are not only competing for medals; they are learning to believe in themselves, to work as a team, and to rise above challenges. At MILO, we are proud to continue supporting a platform that helps young people turn their passion into purpose.”
The colourful closing ceremony in Asaba attracted a distinguished audience, including top-tier dignitaries from the Delta State Ministry of Education. Also in attendance were key representatives from the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), the Nigeria Colleges of Education Sports Festival (NCSF), and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), all affirming the tournament’s critical role in the sports ecosystem.
With the Atlantic Conference now wrapped up, the puzzle of the National Finals is nearly complete. The champions from Asaba join Savannah Conference winners (GSS Zing, Taraba for girls; FSP Secondary School, Katsina for boys) and Central Conference victors (GSS Gboko, Benue for girls; Father O’Connell Science College, Niger for boys). Attention now shifts to the Western Conference, the final regional stage, where the last remaining slots will be decided before the grand National Finals tip off on July 2, 2026, at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
