MFM were crowned champions of the 2026 NBBF/Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League after edging record winners First Bank 66-64 in a thrilling overtime final in Lagos on Saturday.

 The victory earned MFM N7.5 million in prize money, while First Bank received N5 million as runners-up. Nigeria Customs claimed N3 million after defeating Savannah Conference rivals ASO Queens 51-38 in the third-place playoff.

 MFM secured their third league title in four years after surviving a late fightback from First Bank, who forced the final into overtime. The champions, however, kept their composure to hold on for a two-point victory.

 The final lived up to expectations as both teams battled intensely from start to finish, with MFM eventually emerging champions and taking the largest share of the prize purse.

 Speaking at the final, Zenith Bank Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dame Adaora Umeoji, OON, represented by Executive Director Adamu Lawani, described all the participating teams as winners and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to the development of women’s basketball.

 “All of you already inspire every young girl watching from the stands tonight,” Lawani said.

 “Zenith Bank remains committed to the game. We’ll be here next season and the seasons after.”

 He congratulated MFM on their triumph and commended First Bank for pushing the champions all the way in the closely contested final.

 Individual players were also rewarded with cash prizes, with MFM’s Ioumabo Pius emerging as the biggest beneficiary.

 Pius, who was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, received N2 million in total. She earned N500,000 for being named among the Tournament Top Five and another N500,000 from Zenith Bank for winning the MVP award, while Dam Foundations and Xejet contributed N500,000 each.

 The other players selected in the Tournament Top Five were Favour Anari of ASO Queens, Nwaado Hemban of MFM, Nkem Akaraiwe of Nigeria Customs and Marilyn Ofidibe of First Bank.

 Zenith Bank, which has supported the women’s basketball league for 20 years, reiterated its commitment to the continued growth and development of the competition.