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.