The Nigeria women’s national basketball team have received the houses and national honours promised to them by Bola Ahmed Tinubu following their triumph at the 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

 

The African champions, currently in high spirits in Lyon, France, where they are participating in the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament, were presented with their certificates of national honours and title documents to houses allocated to them in Abuja.

 

The presentation was carried out by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, alongside the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, and other top government officials.

 

Speaking during the presentation, Dikko described the gesture as a clear demonstration of the Renewed Hope agenda of President Tinubu, noting that it marks a departure from past experiences where government promises to athletes often took years—sometimes decades—to be fulfilled.

 

He commended the President for prioritising sports development and the welfare of Nigerian athletes.

 

“I want to first of all thank Mr President for making sports work again in Nigeria and giving every Nigerian athlete a renewed confidence that sports can truly change their lives and put food on their table, because it is not just leisure but a serious business,” Dikko said.

 

“Mr President is happy to give you girls these honours and houses because you have consistently placed Nigeria on the global map with your performance, your patriotic spirit and your never-give-up mentality.”

 

The NSC chairman further assured the players that the cash rewards promised by the President were already in the final stages of processing and would soon be credited to their respective bank accounts.

 

Director General of the commission, Hon. Olopade, also praised the President for redefining sports administration in Nigeria in line with global standards.

 

“Mr President is a rewarder and his reward system is already yielding tremendous results in sports. Fulfilling his promise to you girls on time is another testament to the priority he places on Nigerian sports,” he said.

 

“Like what I often say, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, be rest assured that when you do well for the country, just know a grateful and thankful nation is waiting for you.”

 

President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Engr. Musa Kida, expressed appreciation to the President for prioritising the welfare of Nigerian athletes and setting what he described as a lasting legacy for sports development in the country.

 

Head coach Rena Wakama also thanked the President for the support shown to the team, assuring Nigerians that the players remain committed to achieving even greater success for the country.

 

Team captain Amy Okonkwo, speaking on behalf of the players, expressed gratitude to the President for fulfilling his promise and reaffirmed the team’s determination to continue making the nation proud on the international stage.