Nigeria’s African champions and Nigeria women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress were thrown into celebration in Lyon after the Federal Government officially fulfilled its long-awaited promises, presenting house documents and National Honours to the triumphant squad. The gesture follows their historic victory at the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket, where the team swooped their 7th AfroBasket title their dominance on the continent. The presentation ceremony took place at the ongoing FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament, with top government officials in attendance. How D’Tigress Were Rewarded for AfroBasket Success The players and officials were handed title documents for houses in Abuja alongside certificates confirming their national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). The presentation was led by Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, and Director General, Bukola Olopade, alongside other dignitaries. The housing reward forms part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s pledge, which also includes $100,000 for each player and $50,000 for each member of the technical crew, with payments now in the final stages of processing. Players who received the housing documents include: Amy Okonkwo Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpannah Elizabeth Balogun Sarah Ogoke Ifunanya Okoro Promise Amukamara Murjanatu Musa Blessing Ejiofor Ezinne Kalu Victoria Macaulay Nicole Enabosi Vera Ojenuwa, also part of the AfroBasket-winning squad, was absent and is expected to receive her package later. “A President Who Leads With Action” – Dikko Speaking at the ceremony, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko described the moment as a turning point for Nigerian sports administration. “I want to first of all thank Mr President for making sports work again in Nigeria and giving every Nigerian athlete a renewed confidence that sports can truly change their lives and put food on their table, because it’s not just a leisure but a serious business”. He emphasized that the swift delivery of rewards marks a break from the past: “This is a prompt fulfilment of promises made by a President who truly cares with both his words and actions.” “Nigerian sports wouldn’t have prayed for a better leader than President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in a time and season like this in the country’s sporting history”. Dikko also reassured the team that their financial rewards are imminent: “The money promised to you is almost in the final stage for disbursement and will soon drop in your respective bank accounts”. “A Reward System That Works” – Olopade Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, highlighted the broader vision behind the gesture. “Mr President is truly redefining what sports should be in line with what is obtainable in developed countries where sports is striving”. He added: “Mr President is a rewarder and his reward system is already yielding tremendous results in sports and fulfilling his promise to you girls on time is another testament to the priority he places on Nigerian sports”. “Like what I often say, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, be rest assured that when you do well for the country, just know a grateful and thankful Nation is waiting for you”. NBBF President Hails Tinubu’s Legacy President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Musa Kida, praised the administration’s commitment to athlete welfare. He described the move as: “A legacy of a lifetime for Nigerian sports with the way he prioritizes the welfare of Nigerian athletes.” Coach Wakama & D’Tigress React as Team Eyes More Glory Head coach Rena Wakama was deeply appreciation for the recognition, while also setting sights on future success. “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”. Team captain Amy Okonkwo also spoke emotionally on behalf of the squad: “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”. She added: “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”. From AfroBasket Glory to World Cup Preparation The ceremony comes as D’Tigress continue their campaign at the World Cup qualifiers in Lyon. Nigeria opened with a 70–37 win over Colombia, lost 77–60 to South Korea, bounced back with a 101–84 victory over the Philippines, and narrowly fell 93–86 to France. Having already secured qualification for the global tournament by winning AfroBasket, the remaining fixtures, including a final clash against Germany women’s national basketball team on Tuesday (today), serve as preparation for the main event.