The 2026 NBBF/Zenith Bank Women's Basketball League finale in Lagos concluded with a thrilling contest between MFM Women's Basketball Team and First Bank. MFM emerged victorious, edging the final 66-64 after overtime to clinch their third league title in four years. The team's victory was met with a downpour of cash, as they pocketed N7.5 million for their title triumph. This significant prize money is a testament to the growing support for women's basketball in Nigeria.
First Bank, who finished runners-up, received N5 million, while Nigeria Customs, who secured the bronze medal, went home with N3 million. The third-place finish was secured after Nigeria Customs defeated Savannah Conference rivals ASO SKY Queens 51-38. The financial rewards for the teams demonstrate the commitment of Zenith Bank to promoting women's basketball and providing greater incentives for players and teams.
Zenith Bank's support for the women's league has now spanned 20 years, with the financial institution reiterating its commitment to using basketball as a platform for empowering young Nigerian women and developing sporting talent. The bank's Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dame Dr Adaora Umeoji, OON, represented by Executive Director Adamu Lawani, praised the participating teams and reaffirmed the bank's long-standing commitment to the game.
Lawani described all the participating teams as winners and encouraged them to continue inspiring young girls watching from the stands. He congratulated the champions, MFM, on their title triumph, earned through discipline and hard work. The runners-up, First Bank, were also commended for testing the champions to the end, and Lawani urged them to hold their heads high.
The individual award winners were also rewarded financially, with MFM's Ioumabo Pius emerging as the biggest beneficiary. Pius was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player and also made the Tournament Top Five, earning a total of N2 million. She received N500,000 from Zenith Bank for her place in the Top Five, alongside other players from different teams.
Pius's prize money was further increased by N500,000 each from Dam Foundations and Xejet, taking her total individual prize money to N2 million. The financial rewards capped an exciting finale and reinforced the growing partnership between Zenith Bank and the Nigeria Basketball Federation in promoting women's basketball.
The 2026 NBBF/Zenith Bank Women's Basketball League finale was a resounding success, with Zenith Bank's support for women's basketball continuing to empower young Nigerian women and develop sporting talent. The league has provided a platform for teams to showcase their skills and compete for significant prizes, and the partnership between Zenith Bank and the Nigeria Basketball Federation is expected to continue to grow and promote women's basketball in Nigeria.
Key points
- MFM Women's Basketball Team wins N7.5m at 2026 NBBF/Zenith Bank Women's Basketball League finale.
- Zenith Bank's support for women's basketball spans 20 years, empowering young Nigerian women and developing sporting talent.
- Ioumabo Pius emerges as the biggest beneficiary, earning N2 million in individual prize money.
