Nestlé Nigeria, Two Schools Win Big At Savannah Conference Finals 26Th Milo Basketball Championship
By Trek Africa Newspaper
The 26th edition of the Milo Basketball Championship opened in Kano this week with the Savannah Conference regional finals, spotlighting how school sports continue to drive physical activity and healthy development among Nigerian youth.
Held at the Sanni Abacha Indoor Sports Hall, the event brought together secondary school teams from across the region for competitive finals that doubled as a platform for promoting fitness, teamwork, and discipline. Health professionals say such tournaments play a critical role in tackling sedentary lifestyles and non-communicable diseases linked to inactivity among adolescents.
Delivering the opening address on behalf of Nestlé Nigeria’s Category Manager, Mrs. Opeyemi Jaiyeola, Category Development Manager, highlighted the program’s growth since 1999.
“What started with fewer than 500 schools has grown into a national movement, now engaging over 12,000 schools annually,” she said. “This growth is not by chance. It’s a result of dedication, consistency, and the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to discover their strength and reach their full potential.”
In the girls’ final, Government Secondary School Zing, Taraba State, defeated Government Girls College Unity School, Bauchi, 53–43. Happy Sylvester of Zing emerged Most Valuable Player with 38 points, showcasing the impact of regular training and conditioning.
The boys’ final was equally intense, with Family Support Programme, Katsina edging Government Secondary School Numan, Adamawa State, 64–63. Friday Emmanuel of Katsina was named MVP after scoring 22 points.
Medical experts note that participation in structured sports like basketball improves cardiovascular health, builds muscular strength, and supports mental wellbeing by reducing stress and boosting confidence in teenagers.
The event was attended by officials from the Kano State Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth and Sports, representatives of the Olympic Commission, and partners including NSSF, NCSF, and FIBA. Their presence underscored the public health value of investing in youth sports infrastructure and programming.
Attention now shifts to the Central Region Finals at the Indoor Sports Hall, where winning teams will compete for a place at the National Finals in Lagos this July. Organizers say the championship’s reach ensures thousands of students maintain regular physical activity throughout the academic year.
For public health advocates, the Milo Basketball Championship remains one of Nigeria’s largest school-based interventions promoting active lifestyles, offering a model for how corporate and educational partnerships can address youth health challenges through sport.
