MILO Basketball Championship Produces New Regional Champions as National Finals Beckon
Government Secondary School (GSS), Gboko, Benue State, and Father O’Connell Science College, Niger State, have emerged champions of the Central Conference of the 26th MILO Basketball Championship, booking their places in the National Finals scheduled for Lagos on July 2, 2026.
The regional finals, which brought together seven top schools from across the conference, showcased thrilling displays of talent, teamwork and determination as young athletes battled for a coveted spot at the championship’s grand finale.
In the girls’ final, GSS Gboko delivered a commanding performance to defeat Nigeria Defence Academy Staff Secondary School, Kaduna State, 63–31. The Benue-based side dominated proceedings from start to finish, underlining their status as one of the tournament’s strongest contenders.
The boys’ final was a much closer contest, with Father O’Connell Science College edging Government Secondary School, Gwarinpa Life Camp, Abuja, 56–53 in a fiercely contested encounter to claim the conference title.
The championship, which has remained a cornerstone of youth sports development in Nigeria for 26 years, continues to provide a platform for students to develop discipline, resilience, teamwork and leadership through basketball.
Speaking at the event, MILO Category Manager, Mr. Gilbert Tweneboah-Koduah, represented by Sports Marketing Manager Mrs. Funmilola Oyewole, reaffirmed the brand’s commitment to nurturing future champions.
“Every game played at this championship reminds us of the courage, determination and promise that exist in our young people. These students are not only competing for medals; they are learning to believe in themselves, work as a team and rise above challenges. At MILO, we are proud to continue supporting a platform that helps young people turn their passion into purpose,” he said.
Individual brilliance also took centre stage during the competition. Friday Victoria Ada of GSS Gboko was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the girls’ category after scoring 25 points to inspire her team’s victory. In the boys’ category, Idris Mohamed of Father O’Connell Science College earned MVP honours after contributing 20 points in the championship-winning performance.
This year’s edition of the MILO Basketball Championship attracted applications from more than 13,000 schools nationwide, reflecting the growing popularity and impact of the tournament among young Nigerians.
The Central Conference marks the second of four regional conferences in the championship. Earlier, at the Savannah Conference, Government Secondary School, Zing, Taraba State, won the girls’ title, while Family Support Programme School, Katsina State, emerged champions in the boys’ category.
With the Savannah and Central Conference champions now confirmed, attention shifts to the Atlantic Conference, where schools will compete for the remaining slots at the National Finals.
The event attracted dignitaries from the Federal Capital Territory ministries, as well as representatives of the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF), Nigeria Colleges of Sports Federation (NCSF) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
As the road to Lagos gathers momentum, the newly crowned Central Conference champions will be aiming to translate their regional success into national glory when the championship reaches its climax next month.