Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, may be on the verge of receiving a historic presidential reward following their record-extending triumph at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. After defeating Mali 78–64 in the final on Sunday night.
D’Tigress clinched their fifth consecutive continental title, seventh overall, cementing their dominance in African women’s basketball and stretching their unbeaten run in the tournament to an unprecedented 29 games over the last decade.
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Following their triumph, the debate has intensified on whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should announce a reward package similar to that received by the Super Falcons after their 2024 WAFCON victory.
The Super Falcons, under the “Mission X” campaign, not only secured their 10th continental title but were handsomely rewarded with: $100,000 each for players, National honors (OON – Officer of the Order of the Niger), and Three-bedroom bungalow apartments in Abuja.
Sports analysts and basketball enthusiasts argue that D’Tigress’ unprecedented achievements deserve a comparable or even greater recognition.
Their success has been pivotal in enhancing Nigeria’s reputation in global women’s basketball and inspiring a new generation of female athletes.
Prominent voices within the sports community have called for equity in rewarding Nigeria’s women’s teams across different sports.
Many believe that D’Tigress, having dominated African basketball for a decade and consistently represented Nigeria with excellence on the global stage, should not be treated with less prestige than their football counterparts.
Coach Rena Wakama, the team’s first female head coach, has been widely praised for leading the team to this historic feat, further fueling calls for a presidential reception and national honors. While there has been no official statement from the Presidency in this regard, sources suggest that discussions are ongoing regarding a similar reward package.
The President has declared via a tweet on his verified X handle that he is waiting to receive the team in Aso Rock with the trophy.
Should this materialize, it would mark another landmark moment in Nigeria’s sports.
This would mean female athletes who have brought more honors to the country are finally being recognized and empowered.
It would also quash the notion that football and footballers are given preferential treatment over other sports and athletes.
Having dominated the continent for an unbreakable 10 years, it’s time for D’Tigress to receive their rewards, acknowledging their years of glory.
The minimum should be at the same level of acknowledgment and reward as the Super Falcons, solidifying their status as national heroes.
