Outstanding performers at the 2026 NBBF/Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League were, at the weekend, bathed in cash as MFM Basketball Club took home the prestigious NBBF/Zenith Bank Women’s League title.

At the finals watched by top officials of Zenith Bank, Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) bigwigs and other stakeholders in the sport, the winners, MFM, went home with the prize money of N7.5m, while the second and third place finishers took N5m and N3m respectively for their efforts.

MFM Women Basketball team won their third title in four years after surviving a late scare by record winners of the league, First Bank, to win the game 66-64 points after overtime with both taking home the top two prize money.

In the third place match played earlier on Saturday afternoon, Nigeria Customs defeated Savannah Conference’s rival, ASO SKY Queens 51-38 points to claim the bronze medal and N3m for their efforts.

Apart from the teams’ prize money, all the individual award winners went home with money with the biggest beneficiary, the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, Ioumabo Pius of MFM, going home with sum of N2m.

Pius was rewarded by Zenith Bank for her place in the Tournament Top 5 with the sum of N500,000 alongside Favour Anari (ASO SKY), Nwaado Hemban (MFM), Nkem Akaraiwe (Customs) and Marilyn Ofidibe (First Bank).

She, however, received another N500,000 from the Zenith Bank for winning the MVP while two other associations, Dam Foundations and Xejet added N500,000 each for a total of N2m.

Speaking at the final, The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr Adaora Umeoji, who was represented by one of the executive directors of the financial institution, Adamu Lawani, described all the teams as winners, while reiterating the organisations’ commitment to the development of women’s basketball in the country after doing so for 20 years.

“All of you already inspire every young girl watching from the stands tonight,” she said.
“Zenith Bank remains committed to the game, we’ll be here next season and the seasons after. Once again, congratulations to all of us.

“To the champions (MFM), you earned this title with discipline and hard work. Congratulations to the runner up (First Bank), you tested the champion to the end, hold your heads very high. We will celebrate together.”