BREAKING: President Tinubu rewards D’Tigress with $100,000 each, Abuja homes, OON title

Femi Fabunmi

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ably represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, today received Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, in celebration of their remarkable victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Championship.

The reception came on the heels of the team’s stunning triumph in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where D’Tigress clinched their fifth consecutive continental title by defeating the Malian national team 75–68 in a thrilling final match.

The achievement further cemented Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s basketball and drew praise from sports enthusiasts and government officials alike.

In recognition of their feat, the Federal Government rewarded each member of the D’Tigress squad with $100,000. Additionally, members of the technical crew were granted $50,000 each.

The players were also conferred with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and were each allocated a brand-new three-bedroom flat in the Renewed Hope Housing Estate in Abuja, a flagship residential project of the Tinubu administration.

While delivering the president’s message, Vice President Shettima lauded the team’s unwavering commitment, resilience, and patriotic spirit. He described their success as a shining example of what Nigerian women can achieve on the global stage.

“You have done the nation proud. Winning the Afrobasket championship five times in a row is no small feat. It takes discipline, focus, and unity — qualities that every Nigerian should emulate,” Shettima said. “Your victory brings honour not just to sports, but to the entire country. You deserve every accolade, every recognition, and every reward.”

The ceremony was attended by top government officials, sports administrators, and representatives from the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF). Also present were family members of the players, members of the diplomatic corps, and fans who cheered the team’s extraordinary accomplishment.

The D’Tigress captain, in her remarks, expressed heartfelt gratitude to President Tinubu and the Nigerian people for their support, pledging that the team would continue to work hard to keep Nigeria’s flag flying high in global competitions.

This landmark reward package is one of the most significant in recent Nigerian sports history and reflects a renewed commitment by the Federal Government to invest in and celebrate sporting excellence, particularly among women.

D’Tigress has now become the most successful team in the history of the Women’s Afrobasket tournament, and their 2025 triumph is expected to inspire a new generation of athletes in Nigeria.