By Ziyah News Reporter
Abuja, Nigeria – Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have been promised a cash reward of $100,000 (£75,000) and three-bedroom flats each, following their triumphant victory at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship held over the weekend in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
During a high-profile reception at the State House in Abuja on Monday, Vice President Kashim Shettima praised the team’s achievement, pledging financial and housing rewards to each player.
Members of the coaching and technical crew were also promised $50,000 each and a flat.
D’Tigress defeated Mali 78-64 in the final to claim their seventh AfroBasket title, securing their spot at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a statement celebrating the win, hailed Nigerian female athletes for consistently bringing pride to the country.
“Nigerian women have never failed this nation in sports. From the Super Falcons standing tall on the world stage, to our athletes breaking records on the track, and D’Tigress building a basketball dynasty, our women have consistently made us proud,” Tinubu said.
“To all our young people watching today, let the story of D’Tigress remind you that greatness is a product of hard work, discipline, and belief. Nigeria belongs to those who dare to dream.”
While the promises have sparked celebration among sports fans, many Nigerians have responded with skepticism, pointing to a long history of delayed or unfulfilled government pledges to athletes.
Just two months ago, the federal government finally delivered on a 31-year-old promise to award homes to members of the 1994 Super Eagles squad, after their Africa Cup of Nations victory. Tragically, some team members including national legends Rashidi Yekini and Stephen Keshi died before receiving their rewards.
Similar pledges were made last month to the Super Falcons, Nigeria’s national women’s football team, after their WAFCON triumph. As of now, those rewards have yet to materialize, raising doubts about how long D’Tigress will wait and whether all players will ultimately receive what’s been promised.
With Nigeria’s economy under strain and citizens facing rising costs of living, critics argue that such large cash incentives may not be sustainable or sincere without proper delivery mechanisms.
The Nigerian public and sports community will be watching closely to see if the government follows through on its promises and how quickly.
For D’Tigress, the victory is already historic. Whether the rewards will follow in their lifetimes remains to be seen.