The 26th MILO Basketball Championship reached another milestone with the conclusion of the Central Conference regional finals, where Government Secondary School (GSS), Gboko, Benue State, and Father O’Connell Science College, Niger State, emerged champions in the girls’ and boys’ categories respectively.
For over two decades, MILO has sustained its commitment to youth development through school sports, leveraging basketball as a tool to instill discipline, teamwork, resilience, and self-confidence among young Nigerians. The championship continues to provide a platform for students nationwide to discover their potential, develop character, and strive for excellence both on and off the court.
This year’s edition recorded remarkable participation, with over 13,000 schools across the country applying to take part, underscoring the growing influence and relevance of the competition. At the Central Conference finals, seven schools battled for qualification to the National Finals.
In the girls’ final, GSS Gboko delivered a commanding performance, defeating Nigeria Defence Academy Staff Secondary School, Kaduna State, 63–31 to claim the title. In the boys’ category, Father O’Connell Science College, Niger State, edged past Government Secondary School, Gwarinpa Life Camp, Abuja, in a closely contested 56–53 victory to lift the championship.
Speaking at the event, MILO Sports Marketing Manager, Mrs. Funmilola Oyewole, delivering the opening remarks on behalf of Category Manager Mr. Gilbert Tweneboah-Koduah, praised the championship’s impact on youth development and character building.
He noted that every game reflects the courage and determination of young athletes, emphasizing that participants are not only competing for trophies but also learning teamwork, self-belief, and resilience in the face of challenges.
Individual brilliance also stood out in the finals. Friday Victoria Ada of GSS Gboko was named Most Valuable Player in the girls’ category after scoring 25 points, nearly half of her team’s total, while wearing jersey number 13. In the boys’ category, Idris Mohamed of Father O’Connell Science College earned MVP honours with 20 points, playing a decisive role in his team’s narrow victory.
The Central Conference represents the second of four regional conferences in the ongoing championship. With both the Savannah and Central Conferences now concluded, attention shifts to the Atlantic Conference, where nine schools each in the boys’ and girls’ categories will compete for spots at the National Finals.
At the Savannah Conference earlier in the competition, Government Secondary School, Zing, Taraba State, won the girls’ title, while Family Support Programme School, Katsina State, emerged champions in the boys’ category. These teams now join the growing list of regional winners advancing toward the national showdown.
The Central Conference finals were attended by dignitaries from Federal Capital Territory ministries, alongside representatives of the National School Sports Federation (NSSF), Nigeria College Sports Federation (NCSF), and FIBA.
The winning teams from the Central Conference will now progress to the National Finals, scheduled for July 2, 2026, in Lagos, where they will compete against other regional champions for the ultimate title.