President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has honoured Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, with national awards and generous cash rewards following their historic victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Championship.
During a special reception held on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the President conferred national honours on the players and coaching staff and announced cash gifts of $100,000 (approximately ₦150 million) for each player.
Members of the technical crew also received $50,000 each in recognition of their contribution to the team’s success.
D’Tigress: Africa’s Basketball Queens
D’Tigress made history once again by defeating long-time rivals Mali in the finals, clinching their fourth consecutive Afrobasket title and solidifying Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s basketball.
In his remarks, President Tinubu praised the team’s discipline, dedication, and unwavering spirit, calling them “inspiring role models” for millions of Nigerian youths.
“You have proven that with hard work, unity, and dedication, Nigeria can conquer the world in any field. D’Tigress are not just basketball champions — they are ambassadors of hope and pride for our nation,” the President stated.
A Historic Victory, A National Celebration
The President’s reward reflects his administration’s commitment to recognizing and celebrating sporting excellence, particularly the achievements of women who continue to break barriers and enhance Nigeria’s global image.
This celebration of D’Tigress follows a similar gesture made just days earlier, when President Tinubu honoured Super Falcons players and coaching staff with national awards and cash gifts after their WAFCON title win.
🇳🇬 The Bigger Picture: Sports as a Unifier
Tinubu emphasized that sports remain a powerful unifying force in Nigeria, and promised to continue investing in grassroots development, infrastructure, and athlete welfare.
“This victory belongs to every Nigerian. From the basketball courts of Lagos to the villages in Kaduna, you have shown what is possible when we believe in ourselves,” he added.
