The Federal Government has completed the cash component of the Presidential Rewards promised to Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, with each player receiving the naira equivalent of $100,000 for their historic victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Championship.
Officials of the team also received the naira equivalent of $50,000 each, according to the National Sports Commission.
The commission said the payments were made on September 9, 2026, and that all players and officials had confirmed receiving the money in their respective accounts.
The payments bring to a close the package of rewards promised to D’Tigress following their remarkable Afrobasket success, which saw Nigeria win the continental title for a record fifth consecutive time and the seventh time overall.
Presidential rewards fully redeemed
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the National Sports Commission said the payment marked the completion of all the rewards approved for members of the team by President Bola Tinubu.
The Director of Information and Public Relations at the commission, Kehinde Ajayi, said the reward package included three-bedroom apartments in Abuja, national honours under the Order of the Niger and the cash payments.
The commission said each player was entitled to a three-bedroom flat, the Officer of the Order of the Niger national honour and the naira equivalent of $100,000. Team officials were also awarded national honours and received the naira equivalent of $50,000 each.
According to the NSC, the housing and national honour components had already been delivered before the latest cash payments.
The players and officials received the title documents for their Abuja apartments and certificates for their national honours in February 2026 during the FIBA World Cup qualifiers in Lyon, France.
The commission said the documents presented to the team had been duly signed by President Tinubu.
The release of the cash rewards followed D’Tigress’ participation in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany, completing the implementation of the presidential package.
D’Tigress rewarded for historic dominance
Nigeria’s women’s basketball team has established itself as the dominant force in African basketball after securing five consecutive Women’s Afrobasket titles.
Their 2025 triumph further strengthened their status as one of Nigeria’s most successful national teams and earned them one of the most significant reward packages announced for Nigerian athletes.
The National Sports Commission described the completion of the rewards as part of the Federal Government’s broader commitment to recognizing outstanding sporting achievements and improving the welfare of athletes.
The commission said the initiative aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope agenda and its objective of placing athletes’ welfare and appropriate recognition higher on the national sports agenda.
Super Falcons still awaiting cash rewards
The NSC also provided an update on the Presidential Rewards promised to Nigeria’s senior women’s football team, the Super Falcons.
According to the commission, members of the Super Falcons have already received title documents for their three-bedroom apartments in Abuja as well as certificates for their national honours.
The documents were presented to the players during the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
However, the commission said the cash component of the Super Falcons’ rewards had yet to be completed and would be paid before the team’s next official engagements.
The Falcons were promised the same financial package awarded to D’Tigress, with each player expected to receive the naira equivalent of $100,000 and each official $50,000.
Government credits inter-agency collaboration
The National Sports Commission credited collaboration among several government institutions for helping to complete the D’Tigress reward package within what it described as record time while following due process.
It expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and several government officials and institutions, including the Ministry of Finance and Coordinating Ministry of the Economy, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
The commission said the cooperation between the various agencies demonstrated the government’s commitment to supporting athletes and building a stronger and more sustainable sports sector.
With the latest payments, D’Tigress have now received the full package of rewards promised for their historic 2025 Afrobasket victory, including cash, housing and national honours.
