The President of the Nigerian School Sport Federation (NSSF), Bisi Joseph, has described the Milo National School Basketball Championship as more than a sporting competition, saying it is helping to lay the foundation for a better Nigeria.
Joseph made the remarks ahead of the 26th edition of the championship, which will feature 12 schools from across the country at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
According to her, the championship has become Nigeria’s longest-running grassroots basketball competition and has played a major role in youth development since its inception.
“We are not just constructing a competition; we are laying the foundation for a better Nigeria.
“We are not just organising an event, we are creating a legacy. Every child who participates in school sports learns discipline, teamwork, unity and leadership. These are values that help shape responsible citizens,” she said.
The NSSF president praised Nestlé Nigeria, makers of Milo, for sustaining the competition for 26 years and providing young Nigerians with opportunities to discover and develop their talents.
“Milo School Basketball has become a household name. Every year, students across Nigeria look forward to participating because it is a life-changing event,” he said.
Joseph noted that the championship has produced numerous basketball talents who have gone on to play professionally both in Nigeria and abroad.
“The impact is tremendous. Today, there is hardly a basketball league or team in Nigeria that does not have players who came through the Milo Basketball Championship,” she added.
The NSSF boss also highlighted the role of school sports in promoting national integration, noting that the competition brings together students from different regions and cultural backgrounds.
“It is wonderful to see a child from Bayelsa interacting with another from Ekiti or Osun. Sports unite people and help build friendships that transcend ethnic and regional differences,” she said.
Joseph revealed that this year’s championship attracted 13,256 schools during the qualification stages, making it one of the most competitive editions in the tournament’s history.
She described several conference matches as thrilling encounters, with some games decided by a single point in the closing seconds.
“We witnessed incredible basketball at the conference stage. The level of competition continues to improve every year, and that shows how much the championship has grown,” she said.
The 2025 national finals will feature six boys’ teams and six girls’ teams representing different regions of the country.
Boys’ Teams
- Father O’Connell Science College, Minna, Niger State
- King Amakree Academy, Rivers State
- Government Secondary School, FCT
- David Hall International College, Lagos State
- Family Support Programme Secondary School, Katsina State
- Urhobo College, Delta State
Girls’ Teams
- Lanreleke Academy, Osun State
- St. Jude Girls Secondary School, Bayelsa State
- Government Secondary School, Benue State
- Ado Grammar School, Ekiti State
- Urhobo College, Delta State
- Government Girls College, Bauchi State
Joseph urged participants to compete fairly and make the most of the opportunity provided by the championship.
“These teams are no longer representing only their schools or states; they are representing their regions. They should play hard, play fair and continue to promote the values that school sports stand for,” she said.
She also congratulated all the finalists, describing them as champions even before the start of the tournament.
“The fact that they have reached the national finals shows their dedication and commitment. They are already winners because of the values they have gained through the journey,” she said.