Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, emerged victorious in the 2025 Olumide Oyedeji Intercollegiate 3×3 Basketball Championship, defeating Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, 21-15 in the final match held on Sunday.
The championship, now in its fourth edition, brought together talented students from six top Nigerian universities in Lagos to compete for the coveted title.
The competition was a showcase of exceptional skill and determination, with participants displaying their prowess in 3×3 basketball. In addition to the main tournament, a three-point shooting contest was also held, which was won by Emma Ubong Charles of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. Godwin Ogbani-Daniel from the University of Osun took home the award for the highest individual scoring points in the 3×3 basketball contest.
ABU’s victory was largely thanks to the impressive performance of Ibrahim Abdulkadir, who thrilled the crowd with his skill and energy throughout the matches. His outstanding display earned him the Most Valuable Player Award, a testament to his significant contribution to the team’s success. In the post-match interviews, the players praised the organizers for putting together a fantastic tournament that brought out the best in them.
ABU team captain, Bem Agbatar, expressed his team’s delight in winning the championship, crediting 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,” Agbatar said. The team is now looking forward to defending their title in the next edition of the competition and preparing for the upcoming Nigeria University Games.
The event organizer, Olumide Oyedeji, a former national basketball team captain and NBA player, emphasized that the aim of the championship was to provide a platform for young players to showcase their basketball talents. Despite logistical challenges limiting participation, Oyedeji hopes to hold more editions of the championship in the future, believing that it will greatly benefit the young players and contribute to the development of grassroots talent in Nigeria.
The championship began with 18 schools participating in the preliminary stage in March, with six advancing to the Lagos finals. Other participating universities included Leeds University, Ibadan, which finished third, as well as OAU Ile-Ife and Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. With the success of this edition, Oyedeji is optimistic about the future of basketball in Nigeria and looks forward to continuing his efforts in nurturing young talent.
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