D’Tigress captain Amy Okonkwo has expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after the Federal Government completed the reward package promised to Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team following their historic 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket triumph.
Okonkwo, speaking on behalf of her teammates, described the fulfilled promises as “truly life-changing”, praising the President for ensuring that the players received their financial rewards alongside houses and national honours.
The National Sports Commission confirmed that every D’Tigress player received the naira equivalent of $100,000, while each team official received the equivalent of $50,000 on September 9.
“Mr President, you’ve fulfilled every promise made to us after our AfroBasket victory — the houses, the national honours, and now the financial rewards,” Okonkwo said. “This is truly life-changing for all of us.”
The latest payment completed a substantial presidential reward package announced after D’Tigress captured an unprecedented fifth consecutive Women’s AfroBasket crown and seventh continental title overall in 2025.
The players had already received title documents for three-bedroom apartments in Abuja and certificates confirming their national honours as Officers of the Order of the Niger (OON) during the team’s World Cup qualifying campaign in Lyon, France, in February.
The $100,000 payment was therefore the outstanding component of the government’s commitment.
Okonkwo also thanked First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, describing her support and encouragement towards the team as significant.
She extended D’Tigress’ appreciation to NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko, Director-General Bukola Olopade and the Nigeria Basketball Federation for their roles in ensuring the promises eventually became reality.
For the D’Tigress captain, the fulfilment of the package sends a wider message to Nigerian athletes that exceptional performances in national colours can receive meaningful recognition.
The rewards followed an extraordinary period of continental dominance by Nigeria’s women, who went unbeaten at the 2025 AfroBasket and defeated Mali in the final to stretch their remarkable championship streak to five consecutive tournaments.
Okonkwo also reserved special appreciation for Nigerian supporters who have continued to stand behind D’Tigress through their successes and recent difficulties.
That support has become particularly significant following Nigeria’s disappointing campaign at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany, where D’Tigress suffered three consecutive group-stage defeats and failed to progress.
Despite that setback, Okonkwo remains optimistic about the future of Nigerian basketball and believes the backing the team has received can provide further motivation.
President Tinubu, while confirming completion of the rewards, said Nigerian athletes who bring honour to the country deserve more than applause and should return to a nation prepared to recognise their achievements.
For Okonkwo and her teammates, that promise has now become tangible.
From $100,000 each to Abuja homes and OON national honours, every component of the presidential pledge to D’Tigress has now been fulfilled. A package their captain says could change the players’ lives far beyond the basketball court.
