Like the victorious Super Falcons, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Monday, announced a cash reward of $100,000 for each of D’Tigress players, a flat each and the national honour of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) for their historic victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship.
The president also announced $50,000, three-bedroom flat and OON national honour for each member of the technical team.
Just last week Monday, President Tinubu showered encomium and huge gifts on the women soccer team and the coaching crew for lifting the Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Rabat, Morocco, after defeating their host.
…D’Tigress’ rewards
Announcing same gifts for the victorious female basket team at a special reception at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima described the feat as a shining example of the nation’s talent, resilience and unity.
“You have conquered Africa 78 to 64. It’s a declaration, not only of your tactical security but of your reading of the game and your wariness. And I assure you, you go forth with the blessings and support of the entire nation.
“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.
“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.
“Nigerian women have never failed the nation in sports. From the Super Falcons dominating on the world stage, to our record-breaking athletes on the track, and now building a basketball dynasty, our women have consistently made us proud. They have shown the world that when opportunity meets preparation, Nigerian excellence is inevitable.
“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,” the VP said.
Continuing, he said: “On behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I want to extend special appreciation to the National Sports Commission under the leadership of Mallam Alabi. Their renewed focus on athlete welfare, institutional reform, grassroots support, and performance-based development is already yielding results.
“To all young people watching today, let the story of the Tigress remind you that greatness is a product of hard work, discipline, and belief. Nigeria belongs to those who dare to dream and are willing to give their best to make those dreams a reality.”
He singled out Coach Rena Wakama for her inspirational leadership, saying “you represent the evolution of leadership in Nigerian sport. 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.”
Highlighting individual brilliance within the team, the Vice President said: “To Amy Okonkwo, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and Ezinne Kalu, the top scorer in the final, you have elevated the entire team. Most importantly, you did not play for yourselves; you played for and won with Nigeria.”
He also commended the chairman of the Nigerian Basketball Federation and the Board of NNPC Limited, Malam Ahmadu Musa Kida, for his dedication, stressing that “Malam Musa is personally known to me, and I have witnessed the personal resources he has invested in developing basketball in this great nation.”
Vice President Shettima said President Tinubu has shown leadership by recognising and rewarding the D’Tigress who have excelled on the continental stage.
…First Lady’s remarks
Speaking at the event, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu expressed pride in the team’s remarkable achievement.
“This victory is not just a win on the court. 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.
“I say well done to you all, to the technical team, including Coach Rena Wakama, your leadership and tutelage have paid off.
“To all our remarkable players, your performance is highly commendable. You embody courage and commitment. I pray your journey in life continues to be filled with success and light on the path for many more victories to come. Once again, I say congratulations,” she said.
First Lady recalled a previous encounter with the team during their visit last year, saying “when we hosted you last year, myself and the wife of the Vice President, you were such a very adorable team. You showed up then, and that gave you a seat at the table before Mr. President this time around. So I’m so happy and glad that you are here.”
…NSC boss
Also speaking at the event, Chairman National Sports Commission (NSC) Shehu Dikko said the D’Tigress’ win was a milestone not only for basketball, but for women’s sport across the nation.
He said; “I stood here last Monday with pride and profound joy to celebrate yet another glorious chapter in the history of Nigerian sports, courtesy of our exceptional women’s football team, the Super Falcons.”
Dikko emphasised how D’Tigress’ latest triumph had further elevated Nigeria’s sporting prestige.
“Today we return with D’Tigress, our incredible women’s national basketball team, who just clinched their fifth consecutive and seventh overall FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title, following a dominant 78–64 victory over Mali in Abidjan yesterday (Sunday night). Indeed, this is a remarkable and defining moment for Nigerian sports, and even more so for Nigerian women in sports.
“Sunday’s victory was significant, not only for the title itself, but for what it represents. With this latest triumph, Nigeria has become the first African team to qualify for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. We have also extended our astonishing 29-game unbeaten streak in AfroBasket – an era of excellence unmatched in the history of African basketball.
“Credit must go to the players and coaching staff, especially Coach Rena Wakama, whose leadership has rewritten the script for women in coaching across Africa.
“Her historic back-to-back championship wins in 2023 and now 2025 are setting the pace and shattering glass ceilings – her emergence at the last Olympics as head coach gives credence to what proper and structured domestic development can deliver.
“We must also recognize Amy Okonkwo, named Most Valuable Player of the tournament, and Ezinne Kalu, whose top-scoring performances in the final sealed our dominance. But as you know, it is a collective team effort – everybody contributed their bit to get this done.
“These victories are not by chance. They are a product of intentional investment, leadership, and the resilience of our athletes in spite of any deficit. But as we celebrate this achievement, we are also keeping our eyes on the ball and planning for the future, so that this success is not just episodic but institutional,” he said.