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President Bola Tinubu has rewarded Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, with $100,000 each, a three-bedroom flat at the Renewed Hope Estate, and a national honour, following their historic fifth straight AfroBasket title victory.
The President also awarded $50,000 to each member of the team’s 11-man coaching and technical crew, alongside the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
The announcement was made by Vice President Kashim Shettima during a special presidential reception at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja on Monday. First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima, were present to receive the team, who arrived at 5:05pm.
The reception follows D’Tigress’s dominant performance at the AfroBasket championship in Côte d’Ivoire, where they defeated Mali 78–64 in the final. The win marked their seventh continental title and extended their reign as the most successful women’s basketball team in Africa.
While the rewards have been widely praised as a strong message of support for Nigerian sportswomen, the announcement also drew public attention to a deeper issue: the country’s persistent economic struggles. As millions of Nigerians face rising inflation, fuel price hikes, and soaring food costs, the lavish gift of foreign currency and housing by the government has triggered mixed reactions.
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Many observers say the gesture, though commendable, underscores the growing disconnect between government spending and the reality of daily life for the average Nigerian.
At the event, Vice President Shettima, speaking on behalf of President Tinubu, highlighted the team’s role in uniting the nation and showcasing Nigerian resilience through sports. “You brought home not just a trophy, but valuable lessons for all Nigerians,” he said.
He also praised Coach Rena Wakama’s leadership and her influence on young girls across the country. Individual recognition was also given to star players Amy Okonkwo, named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and Ezinne Kalu, the top scorer in the final match.
The President’s message included a broader vision of sports as a tool for national development, noting its role in youth employment, diplomacy, and infrastructure. He commended the National Sports Commission and the Nigerian Basketball Federation for their role in developing the team and promoting athlete welfare.
Yet, while honouring the D’Tigress players, Tinubu’s statement also came at a time when many citizens are asking for similar levels of commitment to tackling everyday economic challenges. The cost of living has continued to climb steadily, with many Nigerians struggling to afford basic needs, including food, transportation, and housing.
Critics argue that such generous spending on symbolic gestures, though well-meaning, can appear tone-deaf without parallel efforts to ease the hardship being experienced by the wider population.
Still, the D’Tigress players themselves expressed deep gratitude for the recognition. The gesture, for them, serves not only as a reward but also as hope and motivation for women in sports across the country.
Whether this symbolic moment will translate into long-term policy shifts that support not just elite athletes but also everyday Nigerians remains to be seen.
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