Zenith Women Basketball League
Current season, competition or edition: 2026 | |
| Sport | Basketball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2004 (in current format) |
| First season | 2005 |
| No. of teams | 16 |
| Country |  Nigeria |
| Continent | FIBA Africa (Africa) |
Most recent champion | MFM Queens (3rd title) (2026) |
| Most titles | First Bank (9 titles) |
| Website | Official website |
The National Women Basketball League, known as Zenith NBBF Women Basketball League for sponsorship reasons, is the top-level women's basketball club competition in Nigeria. It is the women's version of Nigeria Premier League organized by the Nigeria Basketball Federation.[1] The league also determines the Nigerian representatives at FIBA Africa Women's Clubs Champions Cup.[2][3]
History
[edit]The league started with five teams, however the number grew to eighteen by 2017.[4] The league has been sponsored by Zenith Bank since 2004.[5] In 2017, after the expiration of the contract agreement between NBBF and Zenith Bank, the banking institution renewed the terms of the negotiation with bigger winning bonus for the winning teams.[4] The 2026 winner of the league received a ₦7.5m prize money.
The league was suspended for 3 years after the 2019 season, the first two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in 2022 due to a disputed election within the Nigeria Basketball Federation.[6] The league resumed in August 2023,[7] with MFM Queens winning the title in late October. They retained the title in 2024 but took bronze in 2025, with Dolphins emerging Champions after defeating First Bank in a pulsating final.
MFM Queens reclaimed the title in the 2026 season edging First Bank in a thrilling overtime final 66-64 for their 3rd Win in four years.[8]
Players in the league are semi-pro, with most receiving an average stipend.[9]
Teams
[edit]The following are the Fourteen teams that participate in the 2026 ZNWBL Season:
| Team | Location |
|---|---|
| First Deepwater | Lagos |
| Nigeria Customs | Abuja |
| Elephant Girls (aka First Bank) | Lagos |
| MFM Queens | Lagos |
| Royal Aces | Abuja |
| Air Warriors | Abuja |
| IGP Queens | Lagos |
| Plateau Rocks | Plateau State |
| Victoria Queens | Abuja |
| Dolphins | Lagos |
| Bayelsa Blue Whales | Yenagoa |
| Aso Sky Queens | Abuja |
| Nasarawa Amazons | Nasarawa State |
| Titans | Abuja |
List of winners
[edit]| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | MFM Queens | First Bank | [8] |
| 2025 | Dolphins | First Bank | [10] |
| 2024 | MFM Queens | Nigeria Customs | [11] |
| 2023 | MFM Queens | Nigeria Customs | [12] |
| 2019 | Air Warriors | MFM Queens | [13] |
| 2018 | First Bank | First Deepwater | [14] |
| 2017 | First Bank | First Deepwater | [15] |
| 2016 | First Bank | Dolphins | [16][17] |
| 2015 | Dolphins | First Bank | [18] |
| 2014 | First Bank | Dolphins | [14] |
| 2013 | First Deepwater | Dolphins | [14] |
| 2012 | First Deepwater | First Bank | [14] |
| 2011 | First Deepwater | First Bank | [19][20] |
| 2010 | First Deepwater | First Bank | [14] |
| 2009 | First Bank | First Deepwater | [14] |
| 2008 | First Bank | Dolphins | [14] |
| 2007 | First Bank | Dolphins | [14] |
| 2006 | First Bank | Dolphins | [14] |
| 2005 | First Bank | Dolphins | [14] |
References
[edit]- ↑ "Nigeria Women Basketball: FCT Angels defeat Nasarawa Amazons". Premium Times. April 26, 2015. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
- ↑ Edward, Johnny (August 2, 2017). "Basketball: First Bank Coach Ahmedu Targets Women's Africa Champions Cup Qualification". Complete Sports Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2017-08-09. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
- ↑ "First Bank, Dolphins qualify for African Women Basketball Champions Cup". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
- 1 2 Ajom, Jacob (February 25, 2016). "Zenith declares continuous commitment to Women's Basketball League". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
- ↑ "Title sponsorship of the National Women Basketball League (in conjunction with the Nigeria Basketball Federation)". Zenith Bank. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
- ↑ "NBBF Leadership Impasse: Basketball Players Storm Sports Minister's Office, Demand Immediate Action". Precise Post. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- ↑ "Zenith Women's Elite Basketball league tips off". ACL Sports. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- 1 2 Usman, Salifu (October 4, 2026). "MFM Edge First Bank To Reclaim NBBF/Zenith Bank League Title". Leadership Newspaper.
- ↑ Omisakin, Dotun. "Three years after, Nigeria's women basketball league yet to dunk-off, triggers talent drain". International Centre for Investigative Reporting. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- ↑ "B'ball: Dolphins emerge Zenith Bank women's league champions". The Punch.
- ↑ "MFM Retains Zenith Bank League Title, Beats Customs in Final". This Day.
- ↑ "MFM Are Champions Of 2023 Zenith Women's Basketball League". Sports Market International. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- ↑ Igwe, Ignatius. "Women Basketball League: Air Warriors Emerge 2019 Champions". Channels TV. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Ngobua, David (April 16, 2016). "Zenith Bank Women Basketball League has come of age". Daily Trust. Archived from the original on 2017-10-21. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
- ↑ Boluwaji, Bamidele (July 29, 2017). "FirstBank Blow Out Deepwater, Win Zenith Women's Basketball League". Complete Sports. Archived from the original on 2017-10-21. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
- ↑ "FirstBank Elephant Girls win the Zenith Bank Women's Basketball Championship". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. May 24, 2016. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
- ↑ "Zenith Bank splashes 30 million to sponsor Women Basketball league". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
- ↑ "ZENITH WOMEN'S BASKETBALL LEAGUE FINAL: Dolphins Beat First Bank Elephants". Sport Day Newspaper. Archived from the original on 2017-10-21. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
- ↑ "Delta Force Wins At Zenith Bank Basketball League". The Tide. Port Harcourt, Nigeria. June 11, 2012. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
- ↑ "Zenith Bank League: Aderemi Vows To Beat Deepwater In Ilorin".
