Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have officially received documents for houses allocated to them in Abuja along with certificates confirming their national honours, fulfilling the promises made by Bola Ahmed Tinubu following their historic victory at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2025.
The presentation took place on Monday in Lyon, France, where the African champions are currently participating in the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament.
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission of Nigeria, Shehu Dikko, alongside the commission’s Director General Bukola Olopade and other government officials, handed over the title documents and national honours to the players and their officials.
The gesture fulfils part of the reward package announced by President Tinubu after the team secured a record extending fifth consecutive AfroBasket title in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in August 2025.
At a reception held in their honour at the State House shortly after that triumph, the Federal Government announced that each player would receive 0,000, a national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger, and houses in Abuja. Members of the coaching and technical crew were also promised ,000 each along with national honours.
Speaking during the presentation in Lyon, Dikko praised the government’s commitment to rewarding sporting excellence.
“I want to first of all thank Mr President for making sports work again in Nigeria and giving every Nigerian athlete a renewed confidence that sports can truly change their lives and put food on their table, because it’s not just a leisure but a serious business,” he said.
“Mr President is happy to give you girls these honours and houses because you have consistently placed Nigeria on the global map with your performance, your patriotic spirit, and your never-give-up mentality.”
Dikko also assured the team that the financial rewards promised by the President were nearing completion and would soon be paid.
“The money promised to them by the President is almost in the final stage for disbursement, and that too will soon drop in their respective bank Accounts.”
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Olopade noted that the timely fulfilment of the pledge reflects a renewed approach to sports administration in Nigeria.
“Mr President is a rewarder, and his reward system is already yielding tremendous results in sports, and fulfilling his promise to you girls on time is another testament to the priority he places on Nigerian sports,” he said.
“Like what I often say, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, be assured that when you do well for the country, just know a grateful and thankful Nation is waiting for you.”
The President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Musa Kida, also commended the President for prioritising the welfare of athletes, noting that the gesture would motivate Nigerian sportsmen and women to strive for greater success while representing the country internationally.
Head coach Rena Wakama expressed appreciation on behalf of the players and technical crew, thanking the Federal Government for its support and promising that the team would continue to perform with pride.
Team captain Amy Okonkwo also conveyed the players’ gratitude and reaffirmed their commitment to representing Nigeria with dedication.
The presentation took place as D’Tigress continue their campaign in France at the World Cup qualifying tournament. Nigeria entered the competition as African champions after defeating Mali women’s national basketball team 78–64 in the final of the 2025 AfroBasket in Abidjan to secure their fifth straight continental title.
Although the team has already qualified for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup scheduled to be held in Berlin, Germany, the qualifying tournament in Lyon provides an opportunity for Wakama’s side to sharpen their preparations ahead of the global event.
D’Tigress have recorded mixed results in the competition so far, securing victories against Colombia women’s national basketball team and Philippines women’s national basketball team while suffering defeats to South Korea women’s national basketball team and hosts France women’s national basketball team. Despite those results, the team continues to show resilience as they build momentum toward the World Cup later this year.
