The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has extended her heartfelt congratulations to Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, following their historic fifth consecutive victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Musawa, who watched the gripping final alongside the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, described the team’s commanding 78 to 64 victory over Mali as a profound moment of national pride and a defining symbol of excellence in Nigerian sports.
“This is far more than a basketball win. It is a celebration of Nigerian womanhood, of resilience, and of the limitless potential that thrives when passion meets purpose,” Musawa said.
The Minister joined other dignitaries in welcoming the team home and shared emotional moments with proud parents and relatives of the players and coaches. One particularly touching reunion was with veteran player Sarah Ogoke, who carried not just the hopes of a nation but her little child as she journeyed to represent Nigeria. Moments like these, Musawa said, highlight the powerful sacrifices behind every medal.
“These incredible women have written themselves into history. They have lifted not only a trophy but the spirit of a nation,” she said. “Their determination, grace, and strength on and off the court remind us of what we are capable of when we come together.”
She praised the team’s continued dominance in African basketball, extending their unbeaten AfroBasket run to 29 games since 2015. Musawa noted that their success reflects the depth of talent in Nigeria and offers a powerful message of inspiration to young girls across the country.
“This victory is a spark for a new generation of athletes and creatives. It proves that Nigeria is not just participating on the world stage, we are leading.”
She emphasised that the triumph aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which champions national unity, youth empowerment, and the global promotion of Nigerian excellence.
As the nation continues to bask in the glow of this historic achievement, D’Tigress are being celebrated not just as champions of the court but as true ambassadors of Nigeria’s cultural strength, unity, and pride.
