Tinubu Rewards D’Tigress with $100,000, Flats, and National Honours for AfroBasket Triumph

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has honoured Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, with significant rewards following their historic victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship.

Each player was awarded $100,000, while members of the 11-man coaching and technical team received $50,000 each. In addition, all players and coaching staff were gifted three-bedroom flats at the Renewed Hope Estate and conferred with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

The announcement was made by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima during a special reception held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja.

D’Tigress recently clinched their fifth consecutive AfroBasket title and seventh overall after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final match at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The victory extends their unbeaten run in the competition since 2017, further cementing their dominance in African women’s basketball.

The recognition follows a similar celebration held by President Tinubu last week in honour of the Super Falcons after their record 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) win in Morocco.

Speaking at the event, Vice President Shettima praised the team’s resilience and national pride. He said the players had brought great pride to the country and placed Nigeria firmly on the map of global sporting greatness. He commended the team for their composure and unity during challenging moments in the final match, noting that they wore the green and white not just as colours but as a symbol of national unity.

Shettima also highlighted the inspirational leadership of Head Coach Rena Wakama, describing her as a symbol of the evolution of leadership in Nigerian sports. He said Wakama’s quiet strength and historic achievements had shattered glass ceilings and inspired countless young girls across the nation.

He further praised the standout performances of Amy Okonkwo, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and Ezinne Kalu, the top scorer in the final, saying their efforts elevated the entire team and demonstrated selfless commitment to national success.

Reflecting on the broader contributions of Nigerian women in sports, the Vice President noted that women had consistently made the nation proud from the Super Falcons to record-breaking athletes on the track, and now a dominant basketball team. He emphasized that Nigerian excellence is inevitable when preparation meets opportunity.

Shettima also acknowledged the efforts of the National Sports Commission under Mallam Alabi and the Nigerian Basketball Federation led by Malam Ahmadu Musa Kida, commending their focus on athlete welfare and grassroots development.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu expressed immense pride in the team’s accomplishment, describing the victory as more than just a win it was a testament to hard work, excellence, and national pride. She said the triumph would inspire generations of Nigerian girls and women to dream boldly and pursue greatness.

She praised the players as role models and ambassadors of Nigerian sports, especially at a time when the country was still celebrating the Super Falcons’ recent victory.

Speaking on behalf of the team, Amy Okonkwo expressed heartfelt appreciation to the President, the Vice President, and the entire nation. She said the players were grateful for the opportunity to represent Nigeria and to continue their legacy of excellence.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, described D’Tigress’s victory as a major milestone not only for basketball but also for women’s sports in Nigeria. He said the country was witnessing a golden era of female athletic excellence.