King Amakree Academy, GSS Gboko Win First-Ever National Titles at 26th MILO Basketball Championship

 King Amakree Academy, GSS Gboko Win First-Ever National Titles at 26th MILO Basketball Championship

King Amakree Academy, Rivers State, and Government Secondary School (GSS), Gboko, Benue State, emerged as first-time national champions at the 26th MILO Basketball Championship, marking a historic milestone at the tournament's National Finals held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

King Amakree Academy of Rivers State and Government Secondary School (GSS), Gboko, Benue State, have won their maiden national titles at the 26th MILO Basketball Championship, bringing a historic conclusion to this year's competition in Lagos.

The National Finals, held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, featured the four conference champions from across the country alongside the two best-performing runners-up. Following an exciting group-stage campaign, the finalists battled for the national crowns, with two new champions emerging.

In the girls' final, GSS Gboko delivered a dominant performance to defeat multiple-time champions St. Jude's Girls Secondary School, Amarata, Bayelsa State, 68-36, securing the school's first national title. Ada Friday, who wore jersey number six, was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the girls' tournament.

The boys' final was equally dramatic as King Amakree Academy edged three-time national champions and defending title holders Father O'Connell Science College, Niger State, 56-54 to claim their first-ever national championship. Godswill Mene, wearing jersey number eight, emerged as the boys' tournament MVP.

The championship attracted participation from more than 13,000 secondary schools across Nigeria through qualifying competitions held in the Savannah, Central, Atlantic and Western Conferences before the National Finals in Lagos.

Beyond the competition, organisers said the championship remains focused on promoting discipline, teamwork, resilience and self-confidence among young Nigerians while providing a platform for discovering and nurturing basketball talent.

Speaking at the National Finals, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Wassim ElHusseini, said the tournament reflects the company's commitment to youth development through its Creating Shared Value agenda.

He said the championship has, for 26 years, served as more than a basketball competition by equipping young participants with life skills such as discipline, teamwork, resilience and self-belief, which contribute to building responsible leaders and stronger communities.

Also speaking, Category Lead for MILO, Gilbert Tweneboah-Koduah, described this year's edition as evidence that every child can achieve greatness when provided with the right opportunities and support.

According to him, the emergence of two first-time champions demonstrates that every participating school has a genuine opportunity to succeed regardless of its previous record in the competition.

The championship also featured an inclusive wheelchair basketball exhibition involving young para-athletes, underscoring MILO's commitment to promoting inclusion and equal opportunities in sports.

The winning schools received championship trophies, cash prizes, basketball kits and MILO products in recognition of their achievements.

Organisers noted that the championship, alongside the MILO Building Champs initiative—which reached about seven million children in 2025 through school-based physical activity programmes—remains part of the brand's long-term commitment to encouraging active lifestyles, character development and youth empowerment through sport.