King Amakree Academy and GSS Gboko make history

King Amakree Academy from Rivers State and Government Secondary School, Gboko, Benue State, have made history at the 26th MILO Basketball Championship National Finals. Both schools won their first-ever national titles. This shows that the competition is a key platform for finding and developing young basketball talent in Nigeria.

The National Finals took place at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos. The event gathered the four conference champions from around the country, along with the two best-performing runners-up. After an exciting group stage, the top teams moved on to the championship finals, where two new national champions were crowned.

In the girls’ final, GSS Gboko faced off against the multiple-time champions, St Jude’s Girls Secondary School from Amarata, Bayelsa State. GSS Gboko won the match 68-36, marking the school’s first national title and capping off a fantastic tournament. Ada Friday, wearing jersey number six, was named Most Valuable Player of the girls’ tournament.

The boys’ final also had a historic outcome. King Amakree Academy beat the three-time national champions, Father O’Connell Science College from Niger State, with a close score of 56-54. This victory gave King Amakree Academy their first trophy in the school’s history. Godswill Mene, who wore jersey number eight, was named Most Valuable Player of the boys’ tournament.

For over 20 years, the MILO Basketball Championship has played a central role in building grassroots basketball in Nigeria. This year, the championship involved over 13,000 secondary schools across the country. Competitions took place in the Savannah, Central, Atlantic, and Western Conferences before ending in the National Finals in Lagos.

At the event, Wassim ElHusseini, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestle Nigeria Plc, spoke about the company’s dedication to youth development through this championship.

“At Nestle Nigeria, Creating Shared Value is at the heart of how we do business. We believe our success is closely connected to the well-being of the communities we serve. That is why we continue to invest in initiatives like the MILO Basketball Championship, creating opportunities for young people to realize their full potential,” ElHusseini said.

“For 26 years, this championship has been about more than basketball. It has been a platform where young people learn discipline, teamwork, resilience, and self-belief. These qualities not only make better athletes but also help shape responsible leaders and stronger communities.”

Gilbert Tweneboah-Koduah, Category Lead for MILO, mentioned that the rise of two first-time champions shows the competition’s inclusive nature.

“This year’s championship is a powerful reminder of what the MILO Basketball Championship stands for. At MILO, we believe every child has the potential to achieve something great when given the right support and opportunity,” Tweneboah-Koduah said.

“Seeing two schools become national champions for the first time shows that every participating team has the chance to succeed, no matter their background or history in the competition. It reinforces our commitment to providing a platform for young people to discover their potential, build character, and realize their dreams through sport.”

The championship also included a wheelchair basketball exhibition match featuring young para-athletes. This reflects the brand’s commitment to inclusion. Winning teams received trophies, cash prizes, basketball kits, and MILO products as recognition for their hard work.

The MILO Basketball Championship is part of the brand’s wider goal to help young Nigerians lead active lives. The MILO Building Champs initiative aims to reach about seven million children in 2025 through school-based physical activity programs.