Niger boys, FCT girls reign supreme as 25th Milo Championship ends in grand style

Tunde Eludini

The cheers may have faded at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos, but the excitement and lasting impact of Thursday’s grand finale of the 25th Milo Schools Basketball Championship remain strong.

More than just a competition, the tournament shared a strong message about never giving up, working together as a team, and the bright future of young athletes in Nigeria.

In the end, it was Father O’Connell Science College of Niger State who emerged champions in the male category, while Government Secondary School, Gwarinpa (FCT) took the girls’ title — both writing their names in history at the end of a competition that saw over 13,000 schools participate nationwide.

Redemption for Niger Boys

After falling short in the last two editions, the boys from Niger finally had their moment of redemption. In a dramatic 66–64 overtime win against Bishop Dimieari Grammar School of Bayelsa, they showed resilience and composure under pressure.

The Bayelsa team were very close to victory

Bayelsa, led by their sharpshooting captain Ogboke Woyengi, dominated the early stages with a series of long-range three-pointers. But Niger, fired up by captain Levi Samuel, mounted a fierce comeback, forcing overtime in a tense final stretch.

With just seconds left on the clock, John Musa’s clutch shot secured a long-awaited and emotional victory.

“We lost 2023 in the finals. 2024, we played overtime and lost. We didn’t give up,” said Coach Emmanuel Tanko.

“We went home and corrected the mentality of giving up. This year, we came back stronger. My biggest lesson? I won’t give up in life.”

Meanwhile, Bayelsa’s team was left to reflect on what might have been.

“We feel very bad. We couldn’t walk. In the final minutes, we didn’t move our toes,” said team leader Zitimiyola Tiekuromo, visibly heartbroken.

FCT Girls extend their dominance

In the female final, Government Secondary School, Gwarinpa showed poise and unity as they claimed a 55–42 win over Osun’s Lanreleke Academy.

The champions pose with their prizes

The Abuja team controlled the game from the start, only briefly shaken by a second-quarter push from their opponents.

Dike Victoria stole the spotlight — the first-time player dazzled fans and opponents alike and was later named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.

“I just want to say thank God because God has brought me all this way,” she said through joyful tears.

“This is my first experience. It was crazy but I thank God for my teammates. They are like sisters to me already. I’ve learned that we got this — we can do it!”

MVP Dike Victoria

The school’s principal, Abubakar Jaji, attributed the win to years of steady development and planning.

“Abuja has always been a strong force. In the past 10 years, we’ve won both boys and girls about five times,” he said.

“We’ll keep working hard to ensure our students continue to shine, especially in basketball.”

Celebrating a 25-Year legacy

As the champions lifted their trophies and received ₦3 million each in prize money (₦2 million for the runners-up), it was clear the Milo Championship had grown beyond just a school competition — it had become a national tradition.

For Ifeanyichukwu Orabuche, Category Manager, Beverages, Nestlé Nigeria PLC, the 25th anniversary marked something much deeper than just numbers.

“It’s phenomenal to be part of something that has outlived several generations,” he said.

“For me, the beauty of this championship is not just the focus on sports, but the values that sports builds — teamwork, resilience.”

He also stressed Milo’s long-term vision for youth development through sport.

“We’re about democratizing sports. That’s why we keep investing across basketball, football, volleyball, athletics — giving every Nigerian child a chance. My hope is that this championship continues to outlive me, and the generations after.”

More than just a game

Echoing this broader vision was Olabisi Joseph, President of the Nigerian School Sports Federation. For her, the tournament represents a crucial pillar of youth development in Nigeria.

“This event has become a household name. Many national team players and even some of the referees came through this championship,” she said.

“Sports keeps our children away from vices. We call on parents, school owners, corporate Nigeria, and well-meaning citizens — join us. If we don’t engage our youth positively, they’ll become a problem for the future.”