D’Tigress players receive $100K, flats, and national honours from President Tinubu in Abuja.
Tinubu D’Tigress Reward Package Highlights Government Backing of Women’s Sports
Announced by Vice President Kashim Shettima during a reception at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja, each player of the D’Tigress squad will receive $100,000, a three-bedroom apartment, and the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) national honour. Technical and coaching crew members will receive $50,000 each, alongside the same national honour.
The reward follows D’Tigress’ victory over Mali in the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket final, held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The Nigerian side triumphed 78–64, extending their unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games over the last decade. Their win also secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
D’Tigress AfroBasket 2025 Victory Breaks Continental Record
With the latest title, Nigeria has now won seven AfroBasket championships, becoming the first country to secure the trophy five times in a row. The feat surpasses Senegal’s previous four-peat record set between 1974 and 1981. Captain Amy Okonkwo was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the second time in a row, further cementing her leadership in African basketball.
The team was received at the Villa at 5:05 PM by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima. The celebratory event was attended by several government officials, including Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Senate Committee Chairman on Youths and Sports Development Garba Maidoki, and House Committee on Sports Chairman Kabiru Amadou.
Government Response Mirrors Recognition of Super Falcons’ WAFCON Triumph
The reception echoed a similar event hosted a week earlier for the Super Falcons after their 10th WAFCON championship in Morocco. The consistent government recognition of successful female teams suggests a strategic focus by the Tinubu administration on promoting women’s sports through national policy and reward systems.
OON Honours and Real Estate Gifts Underscore Institutional Recognition
The conferment of the OON national honours on the D’Tigress players and staff marks a significant elevation of women’s sports in the national consciousness. Analysts have described the government’s reward package as one of the most generous in Nigerian sports history, combining financial compensation, housing, and symbolic honours.
While the rewards have been widely praised, some commentators have called for systemic investment in grassroots basketball development and enhanced infrastructure for women’s sports. Nonetheless, the Tinubu D’Tigress reward is seen as a milestone in affirming the administration’s support for athletic excellence.
By recognising a team that has delivered consistent success on the continental stage, the government highlights a broader commitment to sports development and gender equality in national representation.
