Women’s Basketball League Kick-off Date Excites Zenith Bank

The 2025 edition of the National Women’s Basketball League is set to commence on 21st July at the Atlantic and Savannah Conference Centre. Zenith Bank Plc, the long-standing sponsor of this annual competition for the past two decades, has expressed its enthusiasm for the newly confirmed jump ball date announced by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).

Initially, the NBBF had slated 1 July for the start of the league, but this was later postponed to 21 July due to logistical considerations. Dr Adaora Umeoji, Group Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of Zenith Bank, conveyed the organisation’s excitement regarding the launch of this flagship sports event.

Umeoji stated, “We eagerly anticipate this event each year as it stands as our foremost commitment, reflected in the years we have invested and the tangible results we can readily acknowledge. Zenith Bank takes pride in the fact that many participants from this league have gone on to represent Nigeria at continental and global levels.”

She continued, “The success of D’Tigress in AfroBasket, the Olympic Games, and the FIBA Women’s World Cup can be attributed to several players who emerged from our league. This year, we are thrilled to witness the rise of even more future stars.”

In a communication signed by NBBF Secretary General Amina Amanchi, all participating teams and stakeholders were informed that the preliminary phase for the Atlantic and Savannah conferences will take place between 21 and 29 July in Benin, Edo State, and from 28 July to 5 August 2025 in Abuja, FTC, respectively.

The second phase is scheduled for the Atlantic Conference from 24 August to 1 September in Ilorin, Kwara State, while the Savannah Conference playoffs will occur simultaneously in Jos, Plateau State. The NBBF has announced that the National Final 8 will take place in Lagos, with the specific date to be determined by the tournament’s sponsors, Zenith Bank Plc.