Father O’Connell and GSS Karu Triumph at 25th MILO Basketball Championship

Nationalglint July 5, 2025 in Health & Education, Sports - 2 Minutes

Father O’Connell and GSS Karu Triumph at 25th MILO Basketball Championship

Nestlé Nigeria celebrates 25 years of youth sports empowerment and grassroots basketball excellence

Lagos, Nigeria – June 2025 – The 25th MILO Basketball Championship concluded in spectacular fashion at the Indoor Sports Hall, National Stadium, Surulere, with Father O’Connell Science College, Niger State, and Government Secondary School (GSS) Karu, FCT, emerging as national champions in the male and female categories, respectively.

Now in its landmark 25th anniversary, the MILO Basketball Championship remains Nigeria’s premier grassroots basketball tournament, providing a platform for budding athletes from over 13,000 secondary schools nationwide. The 2025 edition lived up to its legacy, uniting young talents in a high-energy celebration of sport, discipline, and youth empowerment.

In a fiercely contested final, Father O’Connell Science College edged past Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, Yenagoa with a 66–64 victory, earning their third national title and reinforcing their position among the championship’s elite. Meanwhile, GSS Karu’s girls’ team made history, securing their first-ever national title by defeating Lanreleke Sports Academy, Ile-Ogbo, Osun State, 55–42, after three previous second-place finishes.

A Legacy of Purpose and Impact

Speaking on behalf of Nestlé Nigeria’s Managing Director and CEO, Wassim El-Husseini, Boladale Odunlami, Commercial Manager, praised the athletes, coaches, and schools for their resilience and commitment:

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“For 25 years, we’ve nurtured champions through sport. The MILO Basketball Championship has empowered hundreds of thousands of young athletes. Some, like Rueben Abuchi—now an NCAA champion with the Florida Gators, and Murjanatu Musa, recently drafted into the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury—began their journey right here. This platform isn’t just about producing basketball stars; it’s about developing leaders, building confidence, and shaping future-ready youth.”

Also commenting, Ifeanyichukwu Orabuche, Category Manager, Beverages, emphasized the championship’s enduring influence:

“This tournament is more than a game—it’s a life-changing opportunity. Through sport, we help children discover their strength, embrace discipline, and unlock their full potential. As we mark 25 years of this program, we are celebrating transformation, purpose, and the future of Nigerian youth.”

Commitment to Inclusion and Community

In a powerful show of inclusivity, the 2025 edition also featured a special match for children with disabilities, underscoring Nestlé’s commitment to equal opportunity and accessible sport for all.

Both champion teams received trophies, cash prizes, full team kits, and Nestlé MILO product hampers, joining a proud lineage of MILO Basketball alumni who continue to shine locally and globally.

As the MILO Basketball Championship celebrates 25 years of sustained impact, Nestlé Nigeria remains unwavering in its mission to build talent, promote healthy lifestyles, and equip Nigerian youth for success on and off the court.