President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has showered Nigerias national womens basketball team, DTigress, with a generous package of rewards following their historic victory at the 2025 FIBA Womens Afrobasket Championship. The team clinched their fifth consecutive title after a dominant performance in Abidjan, C�te dIvoire.
In a reception held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Tinubu announced that each player would receive a cash reward of $100,000, while each member of the 11-person coaching and technical crew would get $50,000.
As part of the recognition, the entire delegation players and officials alike were also gifted three-bedroom apartments in the newly built Renewed Hope Estate, a federal housing initiative designed to promote affordable and dignified living conditions for outstanding citizens.
In a gesture that further underscores his administrations commitment to celebrating excellence, President Tinubu also conferred on the players and their technical team the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). This prestigious award recognizes exceptional service to the nation and places the athletes among a revered class of national achievers.
The President, visibly proud and full of praise for the team, described their achievement as a reflection of the Nigerian spirit of resilience, talent, and excellence. He hailed their consistency on the continental stage and their role in projecting a positive image of Nigeria to the world.
Your victory is not just a sporting triumph, it is a powerful national statement. You have lifted our spirits and shown what Nigerians, especially women, can achieve through discipline, unity, and determination, the President said.
Tinubu also used the occasion to reiterate his administrations support for sports development, particularly womens sports, noting that DTigress have become role models for millions of young Nigerians.
The Presidents announcement has been met with widespread applause from sports stakeholders and fans who see it as a long-overdue recognition of the womens basketball teams dominance and dedication. DTigress have now become the first team to win five straight Afrobasket titles a feat unmatched in African basketball history.
The team captain, expressing appreciation on behalf of the squad, thanked the President for the recognition and reward, promising that the team would continue to bring pride to the country.
More details are expected on the modalities of the housing allocation and the timeline for the disbursement of the cash gifts.
