Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, were given a hero’s welcome at the State House on Monday as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu showered them with national honours and a generous cash reward following their stunning victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship.
Each player will receive $100,000 (₦152 million) in recognition of their hard-fought success, while members of the technical crew are to be awarded $50,000 each. The announcement came a day after D’Tigress overpowered Mali in a 78-64 victory, clinching their seventh AfroBasket title and further cementing Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s basketball.
President Tinubu, while addressing the team, praised their determination, resilience, and the pride they’ve brought to the nation. He emphasized that their achievement deserves not only words of praise but tangible rewards that reflect the value of their efforts on the international stage.
This latest presidential gesture follows a similar recognition extended to the Super Falcons, who were recently honoured after winning Nigeria’s 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco. Tinubu’s administration has been vocal about celebrating excellence in sports, particularly as a source of national unity and inspiration.
However, the sizeable cash gifts have sparked debates online, with some critics questioning whether the figures were excessive. Responding to the backlash, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga took to his verified X (formerly Twitter) account to defend the President’s decision. He pointed out the irony of people celebrating the ₦150 million prize for Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) winners while criticizing rewards for athletes who bring honour to Nigeria on the international stage.
Onanuga stressed that national athletes deserve greater recognition for their sacrifices, highlighting that sports achievements should be valued beyond entertainment benchmarks.
D’Tigress’ latest success not only adds another trophy to Nigeria’s sporting cabinet but has also reignited conversations about the importance of investing in and rewarding athletes who consistently put the country on the global map.