Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, were in high spirits in Lyon as they received long-awaited rewards promised by Bola Ahmed Tinubu following their historic triumph at the 2025 Afrobasket tournament in Côte d’Ivoire.
The African champions, currently in France for the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament, were presented with certificates of National Honours and title documents for houses allocated to them in Abuja. The presentation was carried out by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, alongside the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, and other top government officials.
According to a statement issued by Dr. (Mrs.) Kehinde Ajayi, Director of Information and Public Relations at the National Sports Commission, the gesture reflects the “Renewed Hope” agenda of the Tinubu administration and marks a significant shift from past delays in fulfilling promises to athletes.
Mallam Shehu Dikko praised the President for his prompt action, describing it as evidence of genuine commitment to sports development in Nigeria. He noted that the timely fulfilment of the pledge has restored confidence among athletes, proving that sports can serve as both a career and a viable means of livelihood.
“I want to thank Mr President for making sports work again in Nigeria and giving athletes renewed confidence that sports can truly transform their lives,” Dikko said. He further assured the team that the financial rewards promised by the President were in the final stages of processing and would soon be credited to their accounts.
Director General Bukola Olopade also commended the President’s leadership, stating that the administration is redefining sports governance in line with global best practices. He emphasized that rewarding excellence promptly would continue to motivate Nigerian athletes to achieve greater feats.
President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Engr. Musa Kida, described the gesture as a “legacy of a lifetime,” highlighting the government’s renewed focus on athlete welfare.
Head Coach Rena Wakama expressed deep appreciation to the President for the recognition and support, assuring Nigerians that the team remains committed to delivering more victories on the global stage.
Team captain Amy Okonkwo also conveyed gratitude on behalf of the squad, pledging that D’Tigress would continue to make the nation proud.
The latest development underscores a new era for Nigerian sports, where performance and patriotism are being met with timely recognition and tangible rewards.