A last seconds free throw from Isaiah John in the dying seconds of extra time handed Father O’Connell Science College, Niger State, a dramatic 66–64 victory over Bishop Dimieari Grammar School, Bayelsa, in the final of the 2025 MILO National Secondary Schools Basketball Championship.
The encounter, which lived up to its billing as one of the tournament’s most tightly fought finals, swung like a pendulum. The Bayelsa school led 20–14 at the close of the first quarter and stayed ahead 31–27 into halftime. But Niger clawed their way back to take a 44–39 lead in the third.
Regulation time ended at a deadlock at 57–57, setting the stage for an extra period.
Government Secondary School, Karu (FCT), dominated the girls’ final, seeing off Lanre Leke Academy, Osun State, with a confident 55–42 win. Karu raced to an 18–7 lead in the opening quarter and maintained control.
Both champions in the boys’ and girls’ categories walked away with N3 million each, while runners-up earned N2 million apiece.
Speaking with John after the final of the competition, he said, “I was just praying in my mind during that free throw. Recalling the pressure-packed final moments. “We lost at this stage last year in overtime, and I didn’t want history to repeat itself.”
Though he missed the first shot, the second attempt dropped through with six seconds left on the clock, clinching the championship
A student of Lanre Leke Academy, Osun State, Onilude Faridat, said, “I wasn’t happy we lost, but coming second is still something. We were tense and it affected how we followed our coach’s instructions.”
Commercial Manager, Nestlé Nigeria, Boladale Odunlami, praised the championship’s long-standing legacy: “At Nestlé Milo, we believe sport is one of life’s greatest teachers. It builds skills that last beyond the court, teamwork, leadership, and resilience.”
Odunlami emphasised the brand’s continued commitment to inclusion, noting that athletes with special needs also took part in this year’s finals. “Inclusion isn’t extra, it’s standard,” she said. “Every child deserves the chance to compete and shine.”
In the boys’ standings, Government Secondary School, Gwarinpa Life Camp (FCT), took third place with a N1.5 million prize, followed by Government Secondary School (Adamawa), David Hall College (Lagos), and Ahmadiyya College (Kano) in fourth, fifth, and sixth places respectively.
Among the girls, Government Girls Secondary School (Adamawa) finished third and also earned N1.5 million, while St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School (Bayelsa), Onireke High School, GRA (Oyo), and Ahmadiyya College (Kano) rounded out the top six.
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