Group photograph of St. Jude Girls Secondary School, Bayelsa State, winners of the Girls’ Category at the 26th MILO Basketball Atlantic Conference Finals.
By Peace Udugba
The road to the 26th MILO Basketball Championship National Finals continued with the successful conclusion of the Atlantic Conference—the third regional stage of the tournament—held at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State.
At the end of a keenly contested series, St. Jude Girls Secondary School, Amarata, Bayelsa State, and King Amakree Academy, Rivers State, emerged champions in the girls’ and boys’ categories respectively.
For 26 years, MILO, a Nestlé Nigeria Plc brand, 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 nationwide applied to participate in the MILO Basketball Championship, underscoring the competition’s growing reach and relevance.
Nine schools competed in each category, battling intensely for a place at the National Finals, with only the regional champions advancing to the next stage.
In the girls’ final, St. Jude Girls Secondary School defeated Urhobo College 46–25 to claim the title. In the boys’ category, King Amakree Academy edged Urhobo College 47–44 in a closely contested encounter to emerge champions.
Delivering the opening address, the Category Manager for MILO, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Mr. Gilbert Tweneboah-Koduah, emphasized the championship’s role in shaping young athletes and inspiring excellence beyond sports.
“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, to work as a team, and to rise above challenges. At MILO, we are proud to continue supporting a platform that helps young people turn their passion into purpose,” he said.
In the girls’ category, Anthonia Obokawe of St. Jude Girls Secondary School, Amarata, Bayelsa State, was named Most Valuable Player after scoring 12 points out of her team’s 46-point tally, playing a decisive role in their victory.
In the boys’ category, Edmund Hart of King Amakree Academy, Rivers State, earned the Most Valuable Player award following an outstanding performance, contributing 22 points out of his team’s 47-point total.
The event was attended by dignitaries from the Delta State Ministry of Education, as well as representatives of the NSSF, NCSF, and FIBA.
The journey to the 26th MILO Basketball Championship National Finals has progressed through key regional stages across the country. From the Savannah Conference, where Government Secondary School, Zing, Taraba State, won the girls’ title and Family Support Programme Secondary School, Katsina State, clinched the boys’ crown; to the Central Conference, where Government Secondary School, Gboko, Benue State, emerged girls’ champions and Father O’Connell Science College, Niger State, took the boys’ title; and now the Atlantic Conference, where St. Jude Girls Secondary School (Bayelsa) and King Amakree Academy (Rivers) emerged champions.
Attention now shifts to the Western Conference, the final regional stage, where winning schools will secure places at the 26th MILO Basketball Championship National Finals scheduled for July 2, 2026, at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
