Tinubu Rewards D’Tigress with $100K and Flats, Hails Team as Beacon of National Unity and Excellence
In yet another unprecedented gesture of recognition and national pride, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a reward package of $100,000 and a flat for each player of Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, following their historic fifth consecutive AfroBasket title.
The president, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made the announcement at a grand reception held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, celebrating the team’s recent triumph and qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup pre-qualifying tournament.
Alongside the players, Coach Rena Wakama and members of the technical team received $50,000 each, as well as national honours in recognition of their contribution to sports and national prestige.
“You are not just athletes—you are ambassadors, unifiers, and symbols of excellence. You wore the green and white with pride, and now you wear the crown of African basketball,” Tinubu stated.
The Business of Sporting Excellence: More Than Just Applause
The financial and symbolic reward given to D’Tigress marks a strategic shift in Nigeria’s sports economy narrative, with President Tinubu reaffirming his administration’s intention to position sports as a pillar for economic growth, national identity, and youth empowerment.
“Sports is not just entertainment—it is infrastructure, education, diplomacy, and a powerful tool for youth employment and national transformation,” the president said.
This renewed focus underscores the administration’s broader goal to make athlete welfare, grassroots development, and performance-based incentives central to Nigeria’s sports development agenda.
Celebrating Champions, Inspiring a Generation
D’Tigress’ 78–64 win over Mali not only secured a fifth straight continental title but reinforced Nigeria’s status as the dominant force in African women’s basketball. Their journey, marked by grit, tactical brilliance, and poise under pressure, has won the admiration of millions.
Coach Rena Wakama was hailed as a transformational figure in Nigerian sports, having shattered stereotypes to become a continental coaching icon, while standout players Amy Okonkwo (MVP) and Ezinne Kalu (top scorer in the final) were singled out for their game-changing performances.
“Coach Wakama, your quiet strength and excellence have shattered ceilings and inspired a new generation of Nigerian girls,” the president noted.
National Impact: Women at the Forefront of Nigerian Sporting Glory
President Tinubu praised Nigerian women for their consistent excellence on the world stage, from the Super Falcons in football to record-breaking athletes in track and field, and now a basketball dynasty in D’Tigress.
“Where preparation meets opportunity, Nigerian excellence always prevails. You have given us another reason to believe in the power of Nigerian women to break barriers and set records,” First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu remarked during the reception.
BRANDECONOMY INSIGHT: Rewarding Sporting Value, Securing a Winning Future
The D’Tigress reward package signals a new era of performance-based incentives in Nigerian sports. With the global sports market expanding and female athletes gaining increasing commercial relevance, the government’s move is a calculated investment in national brand equity.
Beyond the applause, this gesture:
- Sends a powerful message to private investors and sponsors
- Validates sports as a viable career path for youth
- Reinforces Nigeria’s soft power credentials on the African and global stage
- Encourages continued institutional support for women in sports
The Nigerian Basketball Federation, under Ahmadu Musa Kida, was also commended for its consistent developmental focus and strategic talent grooming that has kept D’Tigress on top of the continent.
Looking Ahead: World Stage Awaits
With the 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, D’Tigress will now shift focus to global competition, backed by government support and growing national momentum. The spotlight is no longer just on their continental dominance, but their potential to challenge global giants in women’s basketball.
For the Tinubu administration, the success of D’Tigress is both a celebration and a policy blueprint—a sign of what is possible when excellence is rewarded, and talent is backed with purpose.
