Nigeria Celebrates D’Tigress With $100,000, National Honours, and Land for Historic AfroBasket Victory

Nigeria Celebrates D’Tigress With $100,000, National Honours, and Land for Historic AfroBasket Victory

Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have received a rousing national honour following their record-breaking triumph at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship, where they clinched an unprecedented fifth consecutive title in flying colors.

At a colourful reception held at the State House in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu praised the team for their outstanding performance and presented them with a package of rewards astonishing that underlined the Federal Government’s commitment to encouraging sporting excellence in the country

Cash Rewards, National Honours and Land Gifts

Each member of the victorious squad, including technical and support staff, was rewarded with $100,000 (over ₦155 million), conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) honour, and allocated plots of land in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

President Tinubu, addressing the team, said their historic win had united the country and inspired millions of Nigerians at home and abroad.

“You have once again proven that Nigeria is a force to be reckoned with in global sports,” Tinubu said. “Your discipline, teamwork, and resilience are examples that every Nigerian youth can learn from. This victory is not just about basketball – it is about national pride and the spirit of excellence.”

The President also directed the Ministry of Sports to create a special sports development fund to support women’s basketball and other underfunded sporting disciplines, stressing that athletes should not have to worry about funding while representing the country.

Minister of Sports Commends Team

The Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh, described the victory as a turning point for women’s sports in Nigeria. He commended D’Tigress for dominating African basketball despite the challenges they faced, including inadequate sponsorship and limited training facilities.

“These young women have done what many thought was impossible – winning five titles in a row,” Enoh said. “This administration is determined to make sports a viable sector that creates jobs and promotes Nigeria globally.”

D’Tigress Players Express Gratitude

Team captain Sarah Ogoke, visibly emotional, thanked Nigerians for their overwhelming support and dedicated the victory to “every young girl in Nigeria who dares to dream.”

“This moment is special. We fought hard, we stayed focused, and we did it for our country,” Ogoke said. “We are grateful to the President and the entire nation for recognising our efforts. This is motivation to do even more at the World Cup.”

Road to the World Stage

D’Tigress’ latest triumph means they have booked a spot at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026, where they will face top teams from the United States, Europe, and Asia. Basketball analysts believe that if well-supported, the team could reach the quarterfinals or even challenge for a podium finish a feat that would further place Nigeria on the global sports map.

Significance for Nigerian Sports

From our view at kpomkwem news, this recognition by the Federal Government is seen as a major boost for female athletes, who often receive less attention and funding compared to their male counterparts. Sports stakeholders have called on private sector investors to seize this moment to invest in women’s basketball through sponsorship deals, grassroots programmes, and professional leagues.

Our Sport analysts argue that D’Tigress’ success story is proof that investing in women’s sports can yield world-class results. With more support, Nigeria could become a global powerhouse not only in basketball but across multiple sporting disciplines.