Nigeria D Tigress Crowned Queens of the Court on Their 5th Afrobasket win

Tinubu honours Nigeria D Tigress with national awards, $100,000 each for Afrobasket win

If there’s one thing Nigerians can agree on right now, it’s this: D’Tigress didn’t just win a basketball championship, they conquered an entire continent with style, grit, and national pride. And in return, President Bola Tinubu made sure they got the royal treatment they rightfully earned.

At a grand reception held in their honor at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja, D’Tigress, Nigeria’s unstoppable women’s national basketball team, were celebrated like the queens they are. And for good reason. After clinching their fifth consecutive and seventh overall FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title, defeating Mali 78–64 in the final, the team is now officially the undisputed giant of African women’s basketball.

But this victory wasn’t just about the scoreboard, it was about heart, heritage, and hope.

President Tinubu didn’t just applaud from the sidelines. He came in swinging with presidential generosity. Every single player on the team walked away with a whopping $100,000, while each member of the 11-man coaching and technical crew bagged $50,000. That’s not all, every single team member, including the coaches, also received three-bedroom apartments at the prestigious Renewed Hope Estate.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get better, the President conferred on them the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), one of Nigeria’s highest national honors. That’s the kind of recognition that tells the world: These women didn’t just play basketball, they made history.

Representing President Tinubu at the event, Vice President Kashim Shettima delivered an electrifying tribute that brought the house to its feet. “My dear daughters,” he said, “you fought back from behind not with panic, but with poise. You wore the green and white not just as clothes, but as a symbol of unity, and now, you wear the crown as kings of African basketball for the fifth consecutive time.”

There was no holding back on praise for Coach Rena Wakama, whose leadership and historic wins are breaking new ground for women in coaching. “You represent the evolution of leadership in Nigerian sports,” Shettima said, crediting her calm command and game-changing influence. Special mention also went to Amy Okonkwo, the tournament’s MVP, and Ezinne Kalu, the top scorer in the final. These ladies were more than just players, they were fire and finesse, elevating the team’s performance and rallying millions behind the green and white.

Shettima wasn’t shy about the government’s ambitions: “Sports is not merely entertainment. It is infrastructure. It is education. It is diplomacy. It is a powerful tool for youth employment, economic transformation, and global engagement.” That’s a clear signal that Nigeria’s sports strategy under the Tinubu administration is being re-engineered for impact, grassroots development, athlete welfare, institutional reform, and performance-driven progress.

The applause also extended to those behind the scenes, like Malam Ahmadu Musa Kida, Chairman of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, and Mallam Alabi, head of the National Sports Commission, for driving reforms and quietly investing personal resources to uplift Nigerian basketball.

First Lady’s Words from the Heart

In a rare and emotional moment, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu addressed the team with warmth and deep pride. “This victory is not just a win on the court,” she said, “it is a resounding statement of hard work, excellence, and national pride.” She praised the team as role models and ambassadors, highlighting stories like Dr. Sarah Goke, a surgeon, mother, and now champion athlete, an embodiment of the modern Nigerian woman who breaks limits, one achievement at a time.

“You embody courage and commitment,” Mrs. Tinubu said, visibly moved. “May your journey in life continue to be filled with success, and may you light the path for many more victories to come.”

MVP Amy Okonkwo Speaks for the Team

With poise and power, Amy Okonkwo, Nigeria’s newly crowned MVP, took the mic to express the team’s gratitude. Her voice, though steady, was charged with emotion. “It means the world to us to be here today,” she said. “We’re thankful to be able to represent our country and continue our legacy of excellence. We don’t think the sky is our limit, we can go beyond, and we will.”

It wasn’t just a thank-you speech — it was a promise.

A Nation of Champions

According to Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, this victory is more than just a medal haul, it’s the construction of a legacy. “D’Tigress are now on a 29-game unbeaten run in AfroBasket, an era of excellence unmatched in African basketball history,” Dikko declared. “They’re also the first African team to qualify for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.”

He also underscored that such victories are never accidental, they’re the result of “intentional investment, leadership, and resilience.” He outlined a vision of a sustainable ecosystem where sports becomes a viable national industry and one where Nigerian youth can confidently chase greatness. With investments in grassroots programs, new sports infrastructure, and a deliberate push for equality and visibility for women in sports, the message is clear: Nigeria isn’t just watching its athletes anymore — it’s backing them to go global.

Eyes on the Future

As the celebration wound down, one eye remained on the next tournament, with the men’s national team, D’Tigers, preparing to storm the AfroBasket championship in Angola. But for now, this moment belongs to the women, the fearless, fiery, and phenomenal queens of the court who proved once again that when Nigerian women play, they play to win.

To D’Tigress, Nigeria salutes you. You didn’t just win a title. You wrote a new chapter in Nigerian sports history and it’s one that will be read, remembered, and revered for generations.

Welcome home, champions.

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