Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the “African Pillar of Sports,” has warmly congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his decisive leadership in recognizing and rewarding Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, following their historic victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket.
The Super Falcons’ reward was followed by a similar package for D’Tigress, who secured their fifth consecutive title and seventh overall after defeating Mali 78-64 in a thrilling final in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The win solidifies their position as the first team to win five consecutive titles in the competition’s history.
In a statement via his official handles on Monday, Senator Kalu praised the President’s actions, noting that they sent a powerful message that “hard work pays.”
Again, President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated leadership and encouragement in sports by extending similar rewards of Super Falcons to the D’Tigress who just lifted their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title, He added.
Senator Kalu expressed his joy at the potential “multiplier effect” of the President’s actions, which he believes will in few years generate opportunities in sports to many Nigerian youths.
He also used the opportunity to implore the President to pay attention to the indigenous Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to make it more attractive, with the goal of enabling Nigerian clubs to reclaim championship-winning status in Africa.
The lawmaker underscored the broader benefits of a strong sports sector, stating that, as a nation, we have more to gain than lose when our sports are strengthened.
9japarrot report that in a state reception held at the Presidential Villa, President Tinubu had rewarded each player with a cash award of $100,000, while members of the coaching and technical team received $50,000 each. The President also conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all team members and promised a three-bedroom apartment for each of them under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.
The President’s consistent support for sports has been lauded by many stakeholders.
In the past, his administration re-established the National Sports Commission (NSC) and significantly increased the sports budget by 227% in 2025 to fast-track the development of a robust sports economy. These actions, combined with the recent rewards for the Super Falcons and D’Tigress, are seen as part of a concerted effort to reposition Nigeria as a dominant force in African sports and on the global stage.
“Congratulations to Mr President for his bold steps and to our sports women for putting smiles on our faces,” Senator Kalu concluded.
