2025 Afrobasket Victory: Tinubu Delivers Housing Rewards To D’Tigress In Lyon

Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have received the housing rewards promised by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following their triumphant campaign at the 2025 Afrobasket Championship in Côte d’Ivoire.

The players and their officials were presented with certificates for their national honours as well as title documents for houses allocated to them in Abuja yesterday, in faraway Lyon, venue of the ongoing FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament. The presentation was carried out by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, alongside the Commission’s Director-General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, and other senior government officials.

Dikko said the gesture demonstrates the President’s commitment to rewarding sporting excellence and strengthening athletes’ confidence in Nigeria’s sports system.

“I want to first thank Mr President for making sports work again in Nigeria and restoring confidence among athletes that sport can truly change their lives and provide a sustainable livelihood,” he said.

“Mr President is pleased to present these honours and houses to you because you have consistently placed Nigeria on the global map through your performances, patriotic spirit and never-say-die attitude.”

The NSC Chairman also assured the team that the financial rewards promised by the President are in the final stages of processing and will soon be credited to the players’ bank accounts.

Olopade added that the President’s reward system reflects international best practices, in which athletes are duly recognised for outstanding achievements.

“Mr President is a rewarder, and his reward system is already yielding results in Nigerian sports,” Olopade said.

“Fulfilling his promise to these athletes promptly further demonstrates the priority he places on the welfare of Nigerian sportsmen and women.”

President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Engr. Musa Kida also commended the President for prioritising the welfare of Nigerian athletes.

Head coach Rena Wakama expressed gratitude to the President for the support, assuring Nigerians that the team remains determined to achieve even greater success.

Team captain Amy Okonkwo also thanked the President on behalf of the squad, pledging that the players will continue to represent the country with pride.