Lagos: Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, defeated Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, 21–15, on Sunday to win the 2025 Olumide Oyedeji Intercollegiate 3×3 Basketball Championship.
The 4th edition of the championship featured no fewer than six Nigerian universities competing for honours in Lagos.
The competition also included a three-point shooting contest, which was won by Emma Ubong Charles of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo.
Godwin Ogbani-Daniel from the Osun State University claimed the award for the highest individual scoring points in the 3×3 basketball contest.
Ibrahim Abdulkadir of ABU thrilled the crowd with his skill and energy throughout the tightly contested matches, helping his team secure the championship title.
Abdulkadir’s performance earned him the Most Valuable Player Award, much to the admiration of fans who cheered his impressive displays.
ABU team captain Bem Agbatar said winning the championship was a morale booster and credited their preparation for their success.
“It’s great to win this championship. It was a tough competition, and it feels good to emerge champions in the end.
“We appreciate the organisers and look forward to defending our title in the next edition of the competition.
“Our next focus is to return to school and train hard ahead of the upcoming Nigeria University Games,” Agbatar said.
Event organiser Olumide Oyedeji said the championship aimed to give young players a platform to showcase their basketball talents.
He noted that basketball had always been a tool for him to help develop grassroots talent, aiming for national and international recognition.
Oyedeji hopes to hold more editions in future. He explained that logistical challenges limited participation, though more schools had shown interest.
“It feels good to put smiles on the faces of young players. This is where I was made, so why can’t I give back?
“I’ve seen so much talent here. If we can organise more of these competitions, it will greatly benefit these young players,” Oyedeji said.
Oyedeji is a former national basketball team captain, a former NBA player, President of the Nigeria Olympians Association, and Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee.
Fifteen schools participated in the preliminary stage in March, with six advancing to the Lagos finals.
Other participating universities included Leeds City University, Ibadan, which finished third, as well as the University of Ile-Ife and Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.