President Bola Tinubu on Monday evening, gifted the Nigeria’s senior national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress $100,000 to each of the players, $50,000 each for the 11-man coaching and technical team, and bedroom flats at the Renewed Hope Estate for every member of the team and coaching staff.
Besides, the President conferred on the players and technical crew the prestigious national honor of Officer, Order of the Niger (OON).
The recognition of D’Tigress followed a similar state reception President Tinubu hosted last week for the Super Falcons, after their record-extending tenth Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) victory in Rabat, Morocco.
The team clinched their fifth consecutive AfroBasket title—and seventh overall—by defeating Mali 78–64 in the final played at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The remarkable win reaffirmed their dominance in African women’s basketball and continued an unbroken winning streak that began in 2017.
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima announced the presidential rewards on Monday evening during a special reception held in their honour at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, as well as the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, joined the Vice President to warmly receive the D’Tigresses on behalf of the president.
Speaking at the reception, the vice president who received the champions, described their victory as a shining example of the nation’s talent, resilience, and unity.
He hailed the victorious team saying: “You have brought great pride to Nigeria. Your excellence on the court has once again put our nation on the global map for sporting greatness.”
He praised the team’s resilience and spirit in the face of challenges, noting, “My dear daughters, you fought back from behind in the past quarter, not with panic, but with poise. You wore the green and white not just as clothes, but as a symbol of unity—and now you wear the crown as kings of African basketball for the fifth consecutive time.”
Shettima singled out Coach Rena Wakama for her inspirational leadership.
“You represent the evolution of leadership in Nigerian sports.
“Your quiet strength and historic achievements have shattered ceilings and inspired countless young girls nationwide who now know that no dream is too bold for a Nigerian woman. You indeed deserve your award as the best coach in Africa and the world, “he added.
On individual brilliance within the team, he applauded Amy Okonkwo and Ezinne Kalu.
He emphasized the administration’s commitment to sports development, declaring, “We owe you not just applause, but decisive action. That is why under this government, we are repositioning sports as a key pillar of our national development strategy and economic drive. Sports is not merely entertainment. It is infrastructure, it is education, it is diplomacy. It is a powerful tool for youth employment, economic transformation, and global engagement.”
Shettima extended gratitude to the National Sports Commission(NIS) and the Nigerian Basketball Federation(NBF) for their tireless efforts even as he commended Malam Ahmadu Musa Kida, chairman of the Nigerian Basketball Federation and the NNPC Limited, for his dedication, noting, “Malam Musa is personally known to me, and I have witnessed the personal resources he has invested in developing basketball in this great nation.”
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu speaking at the reception, expressed “a deep sense of pride and joy” in the team’s remarkable achievement. “This victory is not just a win on the court,” she said, “it is a resounding statement of hard work, excellence, and national pride. This is a moment that will forever inspire generations of Nigerian girls and women to dream big, boldly, and pursue greatness.”
Speaking on behalf of the team, Okonkwo said, “Mr. President, represented by the Vice President, our dear mother. I just want to say, on behalf of the D’Tigress, that we are so, so, so, so thankful to be here today.”
She emphasized the honour of representing Nigeria and continuing their legacy of excellence, saying, “I’m thankful that we get to represent our country. We’re thankful to be able to continue our excellence and support the gift that God gave us.”
