Afrobasket Final Victory: Tinubu gifts D’Tigress $100,000, House, OON National Honour

The President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has again splashed gifts on Nigerian female athletes following another remarkable feat of winning a fifth consecutive African title.

At a special reception held for the Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, at the State House on Monday evening, each player of the triumphant squad was awarded $100,000, a national honour (OON), and a plot of land each.

The coaching and backroom crew members were given $50,000 each, the national honour and a plot of land.

President Bola Tinubu was not present at the event, and was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who made the announcement on behalf of the Federal Government.

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 Coach Rena Wakama led 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.

It was their fifth consecutive title, and seventh overall, extending a stunning 29-game unbeaten streak that dates back to 2015.

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 during the reception ceremony, the Vice President received the champions, describing 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.”

The Vice President 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.”

He singled out Coach Rena Wakama for her inspirational leadership. “You represent the evolution of leadership in Nigerian sports,” Shettima said. “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, he applauded Amy Okonkwo and Ezinne Kalu.

“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.”

Reflecting on the broader significance of Nigerian women in sports, Shettima stated, “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.”

He also commended Ahmadu Musa Kida, President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation and the Chairman of 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.”