President Tinubu Rewards D’Tigress with Cash, Homes, and National Honour
President Tinubu Rewards D’Tigress with Cash, Homes, and National Honour
In a bold show of support for women in sports, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a generous reward package for Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, following their historic fourth consecutive victory at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship.
During a presidential reception held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima revealed that each player will receive USD 100,000, while every member of the 11-man coaching and technical crew will get USD 50,000. In addition, the entire team and staff have been awarded three-bedroom flats at the Renewed Hope Estate.
President Tinubu also conferred on all players and technical crew the distinguished national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) — recognising their unmatched contribution to the sport and the country’s pride on the continental stage.
“A National Statement”
“This is more than a reward. It is a national statement,” Vice President Shettima declared. “D’Tigress has proven once again that Nigerian women are a force to be reckoned with, and this administration will always stand behind champions.”
The honours come just days after D’Tigress defeated Mali in a tense final in Kigali, cementing their reign over African basketball. The team’s resilience, dominance, and unity were widely praised by fans and officials alike.
The event also featured a moment of celebration as team captain Adaora Elonu thanked the president, stating, “This gesture is powerful. We’ve been working, winning, and pushing boundaries — and now we feel truly seen by our country.”
With these rewards, D’Tigress joins the growing list of sports teams recognised at the highest level, signalling a new era of presidential support and national pride in Nigeria’s athletic excellence.
