FG FULFILS PROMISE AS D’TIGRESS RECEIVE HONOURS, HOUSING AFTER 2025 AFROBASKET WIN

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By ‘Sefiu Ajape

The Federal Government has fulfilled its promise to Nigeria’s women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, following their triumph at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament in Côte d’Ivoire.

The National Sports Commission disclosed this on Monday, confirming that the players have received their national honour certificates as well as housing allocation documents.

The presentation was held in Lyon, France, where the African champions are currently competing in the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament.

The gesture fulfils an earlier commitment made by the Federal Government in recognition of the team’s outstanding performance at the continental championship.

On August 4, 2025, President Bola Tinubu announced a special reward package for the players after their record-breaking victory.

Each member of the team was conferred with the national honour of Order of the Niger (OON), alongside a cash reward of $100,000 and the allocation of a flat in Abuja.

Members of the technical crew, led by head coach Rena Wakama, were also rewarded with $50,000 each.

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The announcement followed a reception hosted by the President in Abuja to celebrate the team’s historic achievement of winning a fifth consecutive AfroBasket title.

A similar package of national honours and incentives was also extended to the Super Falcons after they secured Nigeria’s 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco.

D’Tigress clinched the AfroBasket title on August 3, 2025, defeating Mali 78–64 in the final to secure their seventh continental crown.

The Nigerian side overcame a tense contest, with standout performances from Amy Okonkwo and Ezinne Kalu proving decisive.

Nigeria entered the final quarter with a 61–56 lead and maintained composure to seal the victory, extending their dominance in African women’s basketball.

The win also marked the team’s 29th consecutive victory since 2015, underlining their sustained excellence on the continent.

Meanwhile, D’Tigress are currently competing in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament 2026 in Lyon, France, scheduled from March 11 to March 17.

The team has so far recorded victories over Colombia (70–37) and the Philippines (101–84), while suffering defeats to South Korea (77–60) and France (93–86).

They are set to conclude their qualifying campaign with a match against Germany on March 17.