President Bola Tinubu has fulfilled his promise to pay $100,000 to each D’Tigress player and $50,000 to officials following their 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket triumph, with the National Sports Commission confirming the payments were credited on September 9, 2026.
President Bola Tinubu has fulfilled his pledge to reward Nigeria’s D’Tigress basketball team with the naira equivalent of $100,000 per player and $50,000 per official, completing the final component of a presidential reward package that includes housing, national honors, and cash. The National Sports Commission (NSC) confirmed the payments were credited to players and officials’ accounts on September 9, 2026, with all recipients verifying receipt. This marks the culmination of a process that began after D’Tigress secured their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s Afrobasket title in 2025, a feat that earned them recognition from the federal government.
President’s Statement on Rewards
In a statement posted on his verified X handle, @officialABAT, on Thursday, Tinubu declared that the rewards I promised our D’Tigress have been fully redeemed.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to honoring athletic achievements, stating, A promise made must be a promise kept.
The President also highlighted that the Super Falcons and Super Eagles had similarly received their rewards, including housing and national honors, as part of his administration’s broader effort to prioritize athlete welfare. Our athletes who bring honour to Nigeria deserve more than applause. They deserve a country that keeps its word,
he said.
The payment of $100,000 to each player and $50,000 to officials followed earlier distribution of three-bedroom apartments in Abuja and national honours of the Order of the Niger (OON). These had been delivered to D’Tigress members in February 2026 during the FIBA World Cup qualifiers in Lyon, France, with President Tinubu personally signing the title documents. The NSC confirmed the cash payments were finalized after the team’s last match at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany.
NSC Confirms Payment Details
The NSC also outlined the timeline of rewards for D’Tigress, clarifying that the cash component was the final piece of the package. Earlier in 2026, the team had received title documents for their Abuja apartments and OON certificates.
The NSC’s statement noted that the Super Falcons are set to receive their cash rewards before their next official engagements.
Broader Implications for Nigerian Sports
The completion of D’Tigress’s rewards has drawn attention to the federal government’s approach to athlete incentives. Tinubu’s administration has consistently framed such payments as part of its “Renewed Hope” agenda, aiming to elevate Nigeria’s sports sector through institutional reforms and financial support. The NSC credited the collaboration between multiple ministries—including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Minister of the FCT, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation—for enabling the timely implementation of the rewards.
While the Super Falcons and Super Eagles have received similar packages for their respective triumphs, the Super Falcons are still awaiting their cash component, with the NSC stating it is expected to be paid before their next official engagements.
The D’Tigress case underscores the government’s emphasis on women’s sports. By awarding the team a $100,000 reward—equivalent to N133 million—the administration has signaled a shift in priorities.
