Olusegun Adeyemo
A cross-section of Nigerians have expressed divergent opinions following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s honouring of the national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, with generous cash rewards after their historic victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship.
The reward package, announced on Monday by Vice President Kashim Shettima, includes $100,000 for each player and $50,000 for every member of the 11-man coaching and technical crew—a gesture aimed at celebrating the team’s continued dominance on the continent.
While some citizens applauded the move as a step toward gender parity in sports recognition, others criticised it as insensitive, especially in light of prevailing economic challenges facing other sectors of society.
In an interview with Journal Nigeria, Salihu M. Abdullahi, a Lagos-based businessman, lamented the disparity in national priorities:
“President Bola Tinubu should remember that retired army officers are out there begging for stipends to feed their families. It’s painful and discouraging for a country that calls itself the Giant of Africa. If D’Tigress deserve this, then the used-and-dumped ex-servicemen deserve even better welfare,” he said.
Sulaimon Yusuf, a university student, also weighed in, drawing attention to overlooked sectors:
“When will teachers who help students get A’s in WAEC receive $100,000? Teachers also deserve reward on this earth,” he argued.
Another respondent, Usman Tabsco, appreciated the equal treatment of women in sports:
“This man [Tinubu] is just too much. He made the money equal so nobody says it’s only because it’s not football. It’s only women that are producing results in football and basketball. What are the boys doing? It’s time we start taking our girls seriously — let them explore and discover their hidden talents,” he said.
Fred Ernest Osinachi, however, criticised the continued use of foreign currency in government communications:
“Let him stop stating the amount in dollars. Why can’t he just say 150 million naira? Is the dollar now our official currency?” he queried.
In a similar tone, Anayo Vernatius added:
“This whole thing reflects the ongoing dollarisation of the Nigerian economy. It’s concerning.”
On a more positive note, Ali Mamuda, a public servant, expressed support:
“That’s a very huge amount indeed. Congratulations to the recipients,” he said.
Also reacting, Eneojo Agada praised what he described as fairness in recognition:
“Wow! Baba is not biased. Equal rewards to both the Super Falcons and D’Tigress. Congratulations to the men,” he noted.