President Bola Tinubu has rewarded Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress with national honours, cash prizes, and houses, following their historic fifth consecutive AfroBasket title victory in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
At a reception held in their honour yesterday, President Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on each member of the team, gifted them $100,000 each and an apartment in Abuja.
While addressing the team, Shettima said their triumph was a testament to the strength of unity and teamwork. “This victory shows what happens when we work together. Nigerian women have never failed this country in sports, and D’Tigress has once again made us proud,” he said.
Sunday’s emphatic 78–64 win over Mali at the Palais des Sports de Treichville capped a remarkable journey for Coach Rena Wakama, who made history as the first female coach to lead the team to AfroBasket glory since assuming leadership in 2023.
D’Tigress have now cemented their dominance on the continent with five consecutive titles – 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 – an unprecedented feat in African women’s basketball history.
LEADERSHIP recalls that President Tinubu has rewarded the nation’s senior female football team, Super Falcons, with the same gifts recently for winning the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has hailed D’Tigress for making Nigeria proud again by winning the competition for the seventh time in total and five times consecutively.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued yesterday by his special adviser on media and publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, described the victorious D’Tigress as role models for Nigerian young girls.
‘Congratulations to D’Tigress for making the nation proud again. I am so proud of our women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, for bringing home the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship once again.
“Winning it seven times in total and five times consecutively is no small feat. It takes heart, discipline, and grit. These women continue to show the world what Nigerian excellence looks like. It looks great and shines through.
“To our incredible hoopers, you are such an inspiration. You are role models for young girls across Nigeria who dream big, and we are so, so proud of you.”
Basketball promoter and the initiator of the Mark D’ Ball Basketball Championship, Igoche Mark, said the victory of the team is a call for improved investment in grassroots basketball development across the country.
“This remarkable achievement has sparked widespread celebration across the nation, with fans and sports enthusiasts alike expressing their pride in the team’s success.
“However, as we celebrate this monumental success, it is crucial to recognize the need for sustained investment in the future of basketball in Nigeria. The triumph of D’Tigress serves as a powerful reminder of the potential that exists within our young athletes. To build on this momentum, I urge the National Sports Commission to take decisive action in strengthening the domestic basketball structure.
“Implementing strategic initiatives aimed at grassroots basketball development is essential. This includes providing young athletes with access to better training facilities, qualified coaching, and necessary resources. By nurturing talent from a young age, we can ensure that the legacy of D’Tigress continues for generations to come,” Mark said.
