Tinubu Rewards D’Tigress with $100,000 Each, Homes, and National Honors
President Bola Tinubu has celebrated Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, with generous rewards after their historic fifth consecutive AfroBasket title win.
Each player received $100,000, while members of the 11-person coaching and technical crew were given $50,000 each. In addition, everyone on the team — players and officials — were gifted three-bedroom flats at the Renewed Hope Estate.
To top it all off, the President conferred on the team the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), one of Nigeria’s most prestigious awards.
Celebration at the Presidential Villa
The announcement was made during a warm and festive reception held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja on Monday, August 4. Vice President Kashim Shettima, who stood in for the President, received the team, joined by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and Mrs. Nana Shettima, wife of the Vice President.
Also present were key government officials including Femi Gbajabiamila, Garba Maidoki, and Kabiru Amadou, showing strong national support for the team.
Historic Victory for D’Tigress
D’Tigress made the nation proud by defeating Mali 78–64 in the final match of the AfroBasket Championship in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. This marked their fifth straight title and seventh overall, solidifying their dominance in African women’s basketball.
Just a week earlier, President Tinubu had hosted a similar event for the Super Falcons, Nigeria’s female football team, after their tenth WAFCON title.
Tinubu Praises Team Spirit and Leadership
Reading from President Tinubu’s speech, Shettima praised the players not just for their talent, but for uniting Nigerians through sports:
“You wore the green and white not just as a uniform, but with pride and purpose. You showed courage, especially in tough moments during the finals. Your victory is a reminder of what we can achieve when we come together.”
Coach Rena Wakama was applauded for her calm leadership and breaking barriers for women in sports. Tinubu described her as a role model for young girls across the country, celebrating her as one of Africa’s finest coaches.
Players like Amy Okonkwo, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and Ezinne Kalu, the top scorer in the final, were also singled out for their outstanding performance.
“Our women in sports have never let Nigeria down,” Tinubu noted. “From football to athletics, and now basketball, they continue to raise the flag high.”
Investing in Sports for National Development
President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to using sports as a tool for national growth — not just for entertainment, but also for education, diplomacy, infrastructure, and job creation for young people.
He praised the National Sports Commission led by Mallam Alabi for prioritizing athlete welfare, grassroots development, and reforms that are already showing positive results. The Nigeria Basketball Federation, headed by Ahmadu Musa Kida, also received special recognition.
Inspiring the Next Generation
In a heartfelt message to Nigerian youth, Tinubu encouraged them to draw inspiration from the D’Tigress team:
“Let their journey teach you that success comes from discipline, hard work, and belief in your dreams. Nigeria belongs to those who dare to dream and are ready to work for it.”
The event ended with the official announcement of:
$100,000 each for all D’Tigress players
$50,000 each for the coaching and technical team
National honors (OON) for all team members
Three-bedroom flats for everyone involved
And a promise of more rewards to come
“You are not just champions—you are daughters of this nation, and we are proud of you,” Shettima concluded on behalf of President Tinubu.