AHMADU Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has emerged champions of the inaugural Olumide Oyedeji Intercollegiate 3×3 Basketball Championship after a commanding 21–15 victory over Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, in the final held in Lagos.
The two-day basketball tournament featured six top collegiate teams, and ABU once again underlined their basketball pedigree, lifting the title with skill, grit, and team cohesion.
Reacting to the triumph, ABU team captain Bem Agbatar described the win as a massive morale booster for the team.
“It’s great to win this championship. It was a tough competition, and it feels good to emerge as champions in the end. Our preparation paid off,” Agbatar said.
In the third-place match, Lead City University defeated the University of Osun State 21–14 to secure the bronze medal.
Tournament founder and Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) board member Olumide Oyedeji praised the teams and reaffirmed the event’s mission to fuse education and sports.
“We are grateful the competition was a success. The goal was simple: to create a platform for student-athletes to play competitive basketball. I played in NUGA and the World University Games, which helped shape my career.
“Now it’s my turn to give back,” Oyedeji stated.
Individual accolades were also distributed, with Emma Ubong Charles of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, winning the three-point contest.
Godwin Ogbani-Daniel of the University of Osun was recognised as the tournament’s highest scorer, while Ibrahim Abdulkadir of ABU earned the coveted Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for his instrumental role in ABU’s championship run.
