Victory Rewarded: Tinubu Gifts D’Tigress $100,000, Homes, National Honours After AfroBasket Glory

Fresh off their stunning AfroBasket 2025 championship victory, Nigeria’s unstoppable women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have been handsomely rewarded by President Bola Tinubu with a cash prize of $100,000 each, three-bedroom apartments, and the prestigious Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) honour.
At a high-profile reception held Monday evening at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima, standing in for the President, showered praises on the athletes and announced the rewards amid a thunderous ovation from dignitaries and supporters.
“Your victory is more than a win on the court — it’s a victory for every Nigerian,” Shettima declared. “You’ve shown what’s possible when courage meets discipline and unity.”
Not left out, members of the coaching and technical team each received $50,000, a home, and were also conferred with national honours — a nod to their vital role in engineering the team’s dominance.
Led by trailblazing Head Coach Rena Wakama, D’Tigress cemented their place in history with a fifth consecutive AfroBasket title — their seventh overall — after overpowering Mali 78–64 in Sunday’s final at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, Abidjan. The victory stretched Nigeria’s unbeaten AfroBasket run since 2017, reinforcing their status as the continent’s undisputed queens of the court.
The triumphant squad was received in style at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa just before 5:00 p.m., with the mood at the banquet hall electric. In attendance were First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Hajiya Nana Shettima, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and prominent lawmakers including Senator Garba Maidoki and Hon. Kabiru Amadou.
The event came on the heels of another recent celebration — the Super Falcons’ WAFCON triumph — making it a double-header of glory for Nigerian women’s sports.
Sports analysts and fans alike have hailed Tinubu’s gesture as a powerful statement of renewed national commitment to women in sports. For the players, the recognition signals more than reward — it’s fuel for the next generation of champions.
“We did it for Nigeria,” one player said. “And to be honoured like this? It’s unforgettable.”
D’Tigress didn’t just bring home a trophy. They brought hope, pride, and proof that Nigerian excellence knows no bounds.