Star forward and Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the just-concluded 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship, Amy Okonkwo, has expressed heartfelt gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian government, and the citizens for honouring the D’Tigress following their remarkable fifth consecutive continental title.
The Nigerian women’s basketball team received a warm presidential reception at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, where they were presented with generous cash rewards, national honours, and housing allocations in recognition of their historic victory in Côte d’Ivoire.
Speaking on behalf of the team, Okonkwo said:
“I just want to say, on behalf of D’Tigress, that we’re so, so thankful that we got to represent our country and thankful to be able to continue our excellence in our sport — the gift that God gave us.
“It means the world to us to be able to be hosted and able to represent the country in this way, to bring back another championship, to be able to inspire young women around the world that they can one day too be in our shoes.
“I give thanks to everybody for your support and for continuing to lift us higher because I don’t think the sky is our limit — we can go beyond, we can break barriers. Thank you.”
The 28-year-old forward, who was instrumental throughout the tournament, stood out for her scoring prowess and leadership on and off the court. She earned the MVP title after becoming the only Nigerian player to record two double-doubles in the tournament.
Okonkwo’s AfroBasket résumé continues to grow. She was also named MVP at the 2023 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Kigali, Rwanda, and headlined the All-Star Tournament Team the same year.
She previously represented Nigeria at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, where she averaged 2.7 points and 1 rebound per game. At the 2021 AfroBasket, she played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s gold-winning campaign, averaging 9.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.4 assists.
The D’Tigress’ continued dominance on the continent, along with Okonkwo’s individual brilliance, cements Nigeria’s growing legacy in women’s basketball.
