Niger State has celebrated a major victory as Father “O” Cornell Science College, Minna, emerged champions of the 2025 Milo National Basketball Championship held in Lagos. The triumph marks a significant milestone for the school and underscores the impact of Niger State’s ongoing education and sports development reforms.
Receiving the victorious team in Minna, Maimuna Mohammed, Director General of the Niger State School Reform, representing the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Asabe Mohammed, described the win as a testament to the state’s structured approach to combining academics with sports.
“This victory is a reflection of our education reforms, which include facilities for early childhood learning and sports development. We’re also introducing sports activities for children aged three to five as part of our teacher professional development program,” Maimuna stated.
To encourage the students, the state government rewarded the boys with ₦200,000 each and the girls with ₦100,000 each. The team’s total winnings stood at ₦3.5 million, with the state adding ₦1 million, making it ₦4.5 million in total.
Emphasizing the importance of balancing sports with academics, Maimuna announced plans to provide tutoring support for the athletes. “Academic excellence is critical for anyone aiming to join international leagues like the NBA. We’re committed to ensuring these students excel both on the court and in the classroom,” she said.
She further disclosed plans to renovate sports facilities and explore international scholarship opportunities for more students, highlighting the need for sports medicine and mental health support for young athletes.
Head Coach Tanko Emmanuel recounted the team’s journey, from winning state-level qualifiers to dominating the North Central zonal playoffs, where they defeated Abuja 58-33. At the national level in Lagos, Niger State overcame strong competition from Lagos and Bayelsa, ultimately defeating Bayelsa in a thrilling final to clinch the title.
Their victory earned them the championship trophy, ₦3 million cash prize, 12 pairs of sneakers, coaching equipment, cartons of Milo, and certificates. Levy Samuel was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.
Team Captain Mustapha Ibrahim expressed joy over the victory, noting the team’s persistence after finishing second in the last two editions. “We are very excited. After two years of near wins, this year we finally brought the trophy home,” he said.
Player John Musa also revealed that he and a teammate had secured scholarships, with five players set to play internationally for Jordan Warren in the U.S.
As Niger State celebrates this historic win, the success highlights the state’s commitment to nurturing young talents by bridging academics and sports development for global recognition.
