Players and officials of Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have received the financial rewards promised by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for winning the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket.
Each player received the naira equivalent of $100,000, while officials received $50,000 each as part of the presidential reward package announced after the team won its fifth consecutive Afrobasket title.
President Tinubu had made the pledge during a presidential reception for D’Tigress at the Aso Rock Villa last year, where he also promised each player a three-bedroom house and national honours.
Confirming the payment in a post on his X handle, Tinubu said the financial component of the reward had been “fully redeemed.”
He said the process took time because the government had to follow the required legal procedures before fulfilling the commitment.
“Promise made must be a promise kept,” the President said, adding that athletes who bring honour to Nigeria deserved more than applause.
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, had earlier met with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, to finalise arrangements for the payment.
The funds were released within three days of the conclusion of the process, with players and officials of both D’Tigress and the Super Falcons receiving their outstanding financial rewards.
President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Musa Kida, expressed appreciation to Tinubu, Dikko, the NSC Director-General, Bukola Olopade, and Oyedele for their roles in ensuring the payment was completed.
D’Tigress captain, Amy Okonkwo, also thanked the President, describing the gesture as unprecedented and a demonstration of his commitment to the welfare of Nigerian athletes.
Okonkwo said the team had now received the houses, national honours and financial rewards promised following their Afrobasket triumph.
D’Tigress won the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket title in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final.
The victory secured Nigeria’s seventh continental title and made D’Tigress the first team to win the tournament five consecutive times.
