Excitement builds as the grand finale of the 25th edition of the Milo Basketball Championship, running from June 20 to 27, 2025, at the National Stadium, Lagos, to cap off a historic quarter-century of empowering youth through basketball.

This landmark edition will feature 12 top teams across boys’ and girls’ categories, grouped into four pools.

In the boys’ category: Group A includes Government Secondary School, Numau (Adamawa); Amadiya College (Kano); and Government Secondary School, Gwaripa (Abuja).

Group B features Bishop Dimeari Grammar School (Bayelsa); Davidhall International College (Lagos); and Father O’Conels Science College (Niger).

In the girls’ category: Group A has Government Girls Secondary School (Yola, Adamawa); Saints Jude Girls Secondary School (Bayelsa); and Amadiya College (Kano).

Group B features Onireke High School (Ibadan, Oyo State); Government Secondary School (Karu, Abuja); and Lanreleke Academy (Ile-Igbo, Osun).

The championship, which has impacted over 1.5 million children over the last 25 years, remains Africa’s premier grassroots basketball tournament, with a legacy rooted in youth development, leadership, and sporting excellence.

Speaking at the national draws and trophy presentation ceremony held at Nestlé Nigeria’s head office, Managing Director Wassim Elhusseini reaffirmed the company’s commitment to basketball development.

“This championship is about more than just basketball; it’s about changing lives. We’re proud of the impact it has made on boys and girls across Nigeria.”

Category Manager, Beverages, Ifeanyi Orabuche, added: “The stars of tomorrow are here today. For 25 years, we’ve believed that sports instil values like teamwork, grit, resilience, and respect, which are essential for building future leaders.”

President of the Nigerian School Sports Federation (NSSF), Mrs Olabisi Joseph, described the tournament as a national institution.

“Every basketball team in Nigeria today has at least one player who came through the Milo Basketball Championship.”