D’Tigress Players Celebrate Redeemed $100,000 Reward from President Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has fulfilled his promise to Nigeria’s D’Tigress, the Senior Women’s Basketball team, by redeeming the financial and other rewards for their victory in the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket title. The team members and officials have now received their long-awaited packages, with the President making the initial promise on August 4, 2025.

Each D’Tigress player has received the naira equivalent of $100,000, while each official has been granted the equivalent of $50,000. This comprehensive package also includes national honours and three-bedroom homes located in Abuja, completing the extensive set of presidential sporting rewards promised to the team.

President Tinubu addressed the delay in payment, explaining that the government needed to adhere to due legal processes to ensure proper implementation of every commitment. He affirmed his dedication to upholding his word, stating, “That took time, but a promise made must be a promise kept.” The President highlighted this as a significant achievement, noting it marks the first time a federal government has fully delivered on such a substantial scale of presidential sporting rewards within a single year.

The D’Tigress team expressed profound gratitude for the President’s gesture. Speaking on behalf of her teammates, Captain Amy Okonkwo thanked President Tinubu, acknowledging him as a compassionate father figure deeply committed to the welfare of Nigerian athletes. Okonkwo conveyed the team’s appreciation, remarking, “We are truly grateful for everything he has done to ensure that we receive all that he promised us after winning the Afrobasket last year.” She further lauded the President’s actions as an “unprecedented gesture.”

Extending his commitment to other national sports teams, President Tinubu also disclosed that the outstanding cash rewards for the Super Falcons are currently being finalized. The Super Falcons players and officials have already received the title documents for their allocated houses and their National Honours certificates. Similarly, the promises of houses and national honours made to the Super Eagles players have also been fully redeemed.

President Tinubu underscored his philosophy regarding national athletes, emphasizing that those who bring honour to Nigeria deserve more than mere applause; they deserve a nation that stands by its word. He reiterated his promise to every Nigerian athlete: to make Nigeria proud and return to a grateful nation, reinforcing the government’s commitment to recognizing and rewarding their achievements.