FG fulfils housing pledge, national honours to D’Tigress

The Federal Government has fulfilled its promise of awarding houses and national honours to members of Nigeria’s women’s basketball team following their triumph at the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket, The PUNCHreports.

The National Sports Commission announced on Monday that documents for the houses promised to the players had been formally presented to members of the gold-winning squad in Lyon, France.

The presentation was carried out by the Chairman of the commission, Shehu Dikko, and its Director General, Bukola Olopade.

The reward package had earlier been announced by President Bola Tinubu on August 4, 2025, a day after the team successfully defended their continental title

At the time, the Nigerian president pledged $100,000 to each player and $50,000 to every member of the 11-man coaching and technical crew in recognition of the team’s achievement.

In addition to the financial reward, Tinubu also approved a three-bedroom flat for each member of the team at the Renewed Hope Estate and conferred on both players and officials the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger.

The players who received the housing documents include Amy Okonkwo, Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpannah, Elizabeth Balogun, Sarah Ogoke, Ifunanya Okoro, Promise Amukamara, Murjanatu Musa, Blessing Ejiofor, Ezinne Kalu, Victoria Macaulay and Nicole Enabosi.

Vera Ojenuwa, who was also part of the AfroBasket-winning squad, did not attend the ceremony in Lyon after being replaced in the current tournament roster by Rita Igbokwe and is expected to receive her package at a later date.

Members of the backroom staff honoured alongside the players include head coach Rena Wakama and assistant coaches Wani Muganguzi and Prince Ezeala.

Speaking during the ceremony, team captain Okonkwo thanked the government officials and Nigerians for their support while reaffirming the squad’s commitment to representing the country with pride.

“I just really want to say thank you for being here today. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to support us as we prepare for the future and for the World Cup coming up in September,” she said.

Every day we show up here and do our best, and I want to make over 230 million Nigerians proud and make you all proud. You pour into us. You give us your time, your energy and your effort.”

Okonkwo added that the team remained driven by the honour of wearing the national colours and also expressed gratitude to the president for the reward package and the national honours bestowed on the team.

“It really means the world. I also thank the president for his gifts. I know that was not easy, and thank you for honouring us with the OON. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” she said.

Wakama also commended the sports authorities for their efforts in supporting the team and expressed optimism about the squad’s future.

“The DG and the NSC Chairman, thank you for your courageous efforts to continue to help us move forward. We are happy and excited. I know the celebration will continue tonight, but this is not the end,” she said.

The ceremony comes as the African champions continue their 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup  qualifying campaign in Lyon.

Nigeria began the tournament strongly with a dominant 70–37 victory over Colombia before suffering a 77–60 defeat to South Korea.

The team responded with an impressive offensive display to defeat the Philippines 101–84 before losing 93–86 to France on Sunday.

Nigeria is set to conclude their campaign against Germany on Tuesday.

Having already secured their place at the global tournament by winning the AfroBasket title, the remaining matches are being used primarily as preparation for the World Cup finals.