Tinubu Rewards D’Tigress With $100,000 Each, Houses, and National Honours
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has rewarded members of Nigeria’s women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, with national honours, one flat each, and cash prizes following their historic fifth consecutive victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship. At a presidential reception held Monday at the Presidential Villa, and represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu conferred the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) title on every player and member of the technical crew. Each player will receive the naira equivalent of $100,000, while the coach and technical staff will receive $50,000 each. “You have conquered Africa and opened the door to global greatness,” Tinubu said, praising the team’s 78–64 win over Mali and their qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Pre-Qualifying Tournament. The President commended Coach Rena Wakama for her leadership and praised Amy Okonkwo (tournament MVP) and Ezinne Kalu (top scorer in the final) for their individual brilliance. Tinubu also hailed Nigerian women for their consistency in sports excellence, noting recent triumphs by the Super Falcons and athletes on the global stage. The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, described the win as a “resounding statement of hard work, excellence, and national pride,” saying it will inspire generations of Nigerian girls to pursue greatness. Captain Amy Okonkwo thanked the President and First Lady for their support, pledging that the team will continue to make the nation proud.