President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred national honours and cash rewards on Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, following their sensational victory at the 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Championship.

In a celebratory event held at the Presidential Villa on Monday, Tinubu awarded each member of the team the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) and announced a cash gift of $100,000 per player, recognizing their exceptional feat of clinching the Afrobasket title for the fourth consecutive time.

“This victory is not just a win for basketball, but for every Nigerian girl dreaming of global excellence. You have made the country proud and shown the world the spirit of resilience and determination that defines Nigeria,” the president said.

The team’s head coach and officials were also rewarded, receiving commendations and financial incentives for their contributions to the D’Tigress’ dominance on the continental stage.

D’Tigress made history in Kigali, Rwanda, after defeating Senegal 84–74 in the final, cementing their status as the most successful team in the tournament’s modern era.

The gesture has been widely applauded across the sports community, with many seeing it as a sign of renewed government commitment to women’s sports development in Nigeria.

This marks a significant milestone in the administration’s support for athletics, and observers say it could inspire broader investment in grassroots sports across the country.