Zenith Women Basketball League
Women's basketball league in Nigeria
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Current season, competition or edition: 2025 | |
| Sport | Basketball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2004 (in current format) |
| First season | 2005 |
| No. of teams | 16 |
| Country |  Nigeria |
| Continent | FIBA Africa (Africa) |
| Most recent champion | Dolphins (2nd title) (2025) |
| Most titles | First Bank (9 titles) |
| Official website | Official website |
History
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 teams.[4] The 2025 winner of the league received a ₦7,500,000 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.
Players in the league are semi-pro, with most receiving a small stipend.[8]
Teams
The following are the Sixteen teams that participate in the 2025 ZNWBL Season:
| Team | Location |
|---|---|
| First Deepwater | Lagos |
| Nigeria Customs | Abuja |
| Elephant Girls (aka First Bank) | Lagos |
| Nigeria Army Amazons | Abuja |
| MFM Queens | Lagos |
| Royal Aces | Abuja |
| Kada Angels | Kaduna |
| Air Warriors | Abuja |
| IGP Queens | Lagos |
| Plateau Rocks | Plateau State |
| Delta Force | Delta State |
| Dolphins | Lagos |
| Bayelsa Blue Whales | Yenagoa |
| FCT Angels | Abuja |
| Sunshine Angels | Ondo State |
| Nasarawa Amazons | Nasarawa State |
| Titans | Abuja |
List of winners
| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Dolphins | First Bank | [9] |
| 2024 | MFM Queens | Nigeria Customs | [10] |
| 2023 | MFM Queens | Nigeria Customs | [11] |
| 2019 | Air Warriors | MFM Queens | [12] |
| 2018 | First Bank | First Deepwater | [13] |
| 2017 | First Bank | First Deepwater | [14] |
| 2016 | First Bank | Dolphins | [15][16] |
| 2015 | Dolphins | First Bank | [17] |
| 2014 | First Bank | Dolphins | [13] |
| 2013 | First Deepwater | Dolphins | [13] |
| 2012 | First Deepwater | First Bank | [13] |
| 2011 | First Deepwater | First Bank | [18][19] |
| 2010 | First Deepwater | First Bank | [13] |
| 2009 | First Bank | First Deepwater | [13] |
| 2008 | First Bank | Dolphins | [13] |
| 2007 | First Bank | Dolphins | [13] |
| 2006 | First Bank | Dolphins | [13] |
| 2005 | First Bank | Dolphins | [13] |