D’Tigress Reign Supreme: Nigeria’s Basketball Queens Rewarded With National Honors & $100,000 Bonuses After Historic AfroBasket Domination

 The Federal Government rolled out the red carpet in grand style for Nigeria’s indomitable basketball heroines as President Bola Tinubu bestowed the prestigious Order of the Niger (OON) national honors and life-changing rewards on D’Tigress for their unprecedented fifth consecutive AfroBasket Women championship triumph. In a glittering reception at the State House that saw each player receive $100,000 cash and a luxury apartment, the nation celebrated what has become Nigeria’s most dominant sports dynasty of the 21st century.

Vice President Kashim Shettima and First Lady Senator Remi Tinubu, representing the President, hosted the victorious squad in Abuja just 24 hours after their masterclass 78-64 finals victory against Mali. The celebration marked more than just another trophy—it honored a staggering 29-game unbeaten streak stretching back to 2015, a reign of terror that has left African opponents trembling. Coach Rena Wakama’s tactical brilliance earned her technical team $50,000 bonuses each, while the players’ rewards mirrored those recently given to the Super Falcons, signaling a new era of gender-equitable recognition in Nigerian sports.

Sunday’s final in Kigali was a microcosm of D’Tigress’ championship DNA—slow starts overcome by explosive finishes. When Mali came out swinging to level scores 41-41 at halftime, Nigeria’s veterans flipped the script. The third quarter became a defensive masterclass as they held Mali to 15 points while Amy Okonkwo (19 points) and captain Ezinne Kalu (20 points) turned the court into their personal highlight reel. By the fourth quarter, Nigeria’s 61-56 lead became an unstoppable march to destiny, with Promise Amukamara and Victoria Macaulay delivering clutch plays that broke Malian spirits.

This victory followed an epic 75-68 semifinal war against Senegal—dubbed the “real final” by pundits—where Nigeria’s depth and mental toughness shone brightest. From Okonkwo’s mid-range daggers to Musa’s nine-point fourth quarter intervention, every player contributed to what is now Africa’s most feared basketball machine.

With seven total AfroBasket titles (five straight since 2017), D’Tigress have transcended sports to become cultural icons. Their reward package—combining national honors, six-figure bonuses, and property gifts—sets a new standard for recognizing female athletes in Nigeria. As the players posed with their OON medals beside the gleaming trophy, the message was clear: dominance deserves its due.

Just as the Super Falcons redefined women’s football last week, D’Tigress have cemented Nigeria’s status as the continent’s premier producer of elite female athletes. For young girls across Africa watching these queens collect their honors, a powerful lesson resonates—excellence knows no gender, only results.