Students from 2 Lagos State secondary schools have gotten N20 million scholarship awards, prize money, and prizes after emerging winners at the Aketi Bowl II National Competition held in Calabar.
The awards existed to champions in both the male and female classifications during a ceremony held at the conference room of the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
The winners– Ikeja Elder Grammar School, Oshodi, in the male category, and Army Cantonment Girls Senior Citizen School in the female category– each received N20 million scholarship awards, N1 million prize money, and trophies in acknowledgment of their exceptional efficiency.
The rewards were presented by the Nigerian American Football Association and the Nigeria Secondary School Flag Football League, organisers of the competitors.
Speaking at the presentation, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, applauded NAFA for promoting innovation and sports development among Nigerian youth.
“All kinds of sports are an essential part of education as they add to the physical and mental health and wellbeing of students,” Alli-Balogun stated, while declaring the Lagos State Government’s readiness to support initiatives that promote youth development through sports.
Likewise speaking, the Secretary-General of NAFA, Lawrence Ojaige, expressed complete satisfaction with the extraordinary efficiency of Lagos schools in the competition’s third edition.
He noted that Lagos schools had previously controlled the competitors.
“Lagos State won both the male and female classifications throughout the 2023 maiden edition, and when again their schools have actually shown quality and dedication that are worthy of acknowledgment,” Ojaige said.
Ojaige added that Lagos schools were absent from the 2025 edition, keeping in mind that their absence was highly felt during the competition.
“Lagos schools’ absence in the 2025 edition was considerably missed, and I make sure it was their absence that gave way to other winners,” he said.
He further applauded the 2 schools for bringing pride to Lagos State through their devotion and achievements, while appealing to state federal governments throughout Nigeria to provide more support for secondary school flag football competitors in the coming years.
The Aketi Bowl competitors is designed to encourage sports participation amongst secondary school trainees while promoting team effort, discipline, and leadership skills.