Zenith Bank Basketball League


The race for the 2026 Zenith Bank NBBF Women’s Basketball League title reaches its decisive stage as eight teams converge on the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, for the Final 8 championship from September 28 to October 3, 2026.

The eight finalists are Nigeria Customs, AS Sky Queens, Titans, Air Warriors, MFM, First Bank, Victoria Queens and Bayelsa Blue Whales, following their campaigns in the Atlantic and Savannah Conferences.

With the championship now entering its final stage, the absence of defending champions Dolphins Basketball Club has added another dimension to the competition. Dolphins, who defeated First Bank in last year's final, failed to finish among the top four teams in the Atlantic Conference and will therefore not be in Lagos to defend their title.

That opens the door for a new champion and puts the spotlight on a field that includes some of the most experienced teams in Nigerian women's basketball.

First Bank, MFM bring championship pedigree

First Bank enter the Final 8 with a strong championship tradition. The club, which finished as runner-up last season, is the most successful team in the history of the competition with nine league titles.

MFM also bring recent success into the championship phase. The team won consecutive league titles in 2023 and 2024 and will be seeking another strong run as the competition moves into its decisive rounds.

Their presence means the Final 8 will feature a combination of historical pedigree, recent championship experience and teams seeking to establish themselves among the leading forces in Nigerian women's basketball.

Zenith Bank’s long-term investment in women’s basketball

Beyond the competition itself, the 2026 Final 8 also highlights the long-running partnership between Zenith Bank and the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).

Zenith Bank has been the sole sponsor of the National Women's Basketball League since 2005, supporting a competition that has provided a platform for female basketball players to compete, develop their skills and pursue opportunities at higher levels of the sport.

Over the years, the league has also served as an important pathway for players progressing to Nigeria's senior women's national basketball team, D'Tigress.

For young female athletes, the domestic league provides more than competitive games. It offers an environment in which players can develop confidence, discipline, teamwork and the skills required to build careers in basketball.

More than a basketball sponsorship

Zenith Bank's involvement in women's basketball is part of a wider community-development agenda that extends beyond its core banking business.

The bank's initiatives include the reconstruction and beautification of Ajose Adeogun Street and Roundabout, the annual Zenith Bank Youth Parade and Light-Up Ceremony, the construction of ICT Centres in tertiary institutions across Nigeria and the construction of the ultra-modern Iga Iduganran Primary Healthcare Centre, among others.

The continued sponsorship of the women's basketball league therefore places sport within a broader corporate social investment strategy focused on creating opportunities and supporting community development.

Lagos becomes centre of Nigerian women's basketball

With the Final 8 now underway, attention shifts to the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, where eight teams will compete for the 2026 title.

The absence of the defending champions guarantees a new name on the trophy, while First Bank's history and MFM's recent success add further intrigue to the championship race.

For the teams involved, the objective is straightforward: turn their conference performances into a championship-winning campaign.

Eight teams. One destination. One crown

The 2026 Zenith Bank NBBF Women's Basketball League Final 8 now has its stage in Lagos.