Tinubu Welcomes D'Tigress Following Their Historic Victory in Afrobasket Tournament
Nigeria's D'Tigress Celebrate Historic Fifth Consecutive AfroBasket Win
The Nigerian women's basketball team, D'Tigress, were honoured at a reception in the New Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday evening. The celebration followed their historic fifth consecutive win in the AfroBasket tournament, which they secured against Mali in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, on Sunday.
The victorious team, led by Head Coach Rena Wakama, were ushered into the venue shortly before 5 p.m. The reception was attended by notable personalities, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
Amy Okonkwo, a forward for the team, was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2025 FIBA Women's AfroBasket. Okonkwo, 28, played all 40 minutes in the final against Mali, scoring 19 points, and averaged 14 points, 6 rebounds, and a 15.6 efficiency rating over five games. Her consistent double-digit scoring in nearly every match and leadership on court were key to Nigeria’s success.
This achievement makes Okonkwo a back-to-back MVP, joining an elite group of players with two MVP awards in the tournament's history. The MVP award was given following Nigeria's dominant performance at the 2025 FIBA Women's AfroBasket in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
Okonkwo's significant achievement at the 2025 tournament was her pivotal role in Nigeria’s dominant run and securing an unprecedented fifth straight AfroBasket championship as its Most Valuable Player. She headlined the All-Tournament Team alongside standout players from other countries, played a crucial role in Nigeria extending their unbeaten streak at AfroBasket to 29 games, and helped Nigeria secure their seventh overall AfroBasket title, edging closer to Senegal’s all-time record of eleven.
Monday's reception was not the first time President Tinubu honoured a Nigerian sports team at the Presidential Villa. The victory cements Nigeria's status as the dominant force in African women's basketball. The reception was also held to honor the Super Falcons for securing their tenth Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Rabat, Morocco.
However, no information was provided about the players' arrival in Abuja or the $100,000 given to D'Tigress by President Tinubu, or any national honors given to D'Tigress in this paragraph.
[1] AfroBasket 2025: Nigeria's Amy Okonkwo named MVP
[3] Nigeria's Amy Okonkwo wins back-to-back MVP awards at AfroBasket
[5] Amy Okonkwo leads Nigeria to historic fifth consecutive AfroBasket title
[1] The honours at the New Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday evening were for Nigeria's Amy Okonkwo, who was named the MVP of the 2025 FIBA Women's AfroBasket.
[2] Okonkwo, a forward for the victorious D'Tigress team, was recognized for her pivotal role in securing Nigeria’s fifth consecutive AfroBasket championship.
[3] AmyOkonkwo, who plays basketball just like the players from the NBA, achieved a back-to-back MVP award at the AfroBasket tournament, joining an elite group of players with two MVP awards in the tournament's history.
[4] These awards are a testament to the dominance of Nigeria in African women's basketball, as demonstrated by the team's historic run and consecutive championships.
[5] As Nigeria gears up for their next sports challenge, the Afcon and the elections, they can take pride in the achievements of their sports stars like Amy Okonkwo, who has played a crucial role in maintaining Nigeria's status as a sporting powerhouse.
[6] The Super Eagles, APC, and PDP, perhaps even the Naija heats in the upcoming elections, can learn from the discipline, teamwork, and determination exhibited by Okonkwo and the D'Tigress team, in their sports endeavours as well as other aspects of Nigerian life.
