The Federal Government of Nigeria has made good on its promise, officially presenting housing documents and national honours to members of the national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, following their triumphant 2025 Women’s AfroBasket campaign.
The presentation took place on Monday in Lyon, France, where the team is currently participating in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournament.
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, alongside the commission’s Director General, Bukola Olopade, formally handed over the documents to the gold-winning squad.
President Bola Tinubu had initially announced the lavish reward package on August 4, 2025, just a day after D’Tigress successfully defended their continental title.
The President pledged $100,000 to each player and $50,000 to every member of the coaching and technical crew.
In addition to the financial windfall, Tinubu approved a three-bedroom flat for each team member at the Renewed Hope Estate and conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on both players and officials.
Players who received their housing documents at the ceremony included Amy Okonkwo, Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpannah, Elizabeth Balogun, Sarah Ogoke, Ifunanya Okoro, Promise Amukamara, Murjanatu Musa, Blessing Ejiofor, Ezinne Kalu, Victoria Macaulay, and Nicole Enabosi.
Vera Ojenuwa, who was part of the AfroBasket-winning squad but was replaced by Rita Igbokwe for the current tournament, was absent from the Lyon ceremony and is expected to receive her package at a later date.
Members of the backroom staff honored alongside the players included head coach Rena Wakama, and assistant coaches Wani Muganguzi and Prince Ezeala.
Speaking during the emotional ceremony, team captain Amy Okonkwo expressed immense gratitude to the government officials and Nigerians for their unwavering support.
“I just really want to say thank you for being here today. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to support us as we prepare for the future and for the World Cup coming up in September.
“Every day we show up here and do our best, and I want to make over 230 million Nigerians proud and make you all proud. You pour into us. You give us your time, your energy and your effort,” Okonkwo said.
Okonkwo also directed a special note of appreciation to the President. “It really means the world. I also thank the president for his gifts. I know that was not easy, and thank you for honouring us with the OON, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Head coach Rena Wakama also commended the sports authorities for their continued backing.
“The DG and the NSC Chairman, thank you for your courageous efforts to continue to help us move forward.
“We are happy and excited. I know the celebration will continue tonight, but this is not the end,” Wakama remarked.
The ceremony provided a celebratory pause as the African champions continue their qualifying campaign. D’Tigress opened the tournament with a dominant 70-37 victory over Colombia, followed by a 77-60 loss to South Korea.
They bounced back with a 101-84 win over the Philippines before narrowly falling to France 93-86 on Sunday.
Having already secured their spot at the global tournament by virtue of their AfroBasket title, Nigeria will conclude their current campaign against Germany on Tuesday, using the remaining matches as vital preparation for the World Cup finals.
