Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, recently met with Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports Development and Chancellor of the Sports University of Nigeria, in a gathering that has since generated both national admiration and playful social media commentary.
The meeting, captured in photos and videos, was characterized by mutual respect and enthusiasm. Senator Nwoko commended the team for their historic achievement of clinching five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles—a milestone secured after their triumph over Mali on August 3, 2025, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
“It was a pleasure meeting with the phenomenal D’Tigress team — our national champions who have made history once again by clinching their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title,” Nwoko wrote on August 23, 2025, on social media.
“Their victory carries broader national significance, and it reinforces why we must invest intentionally in our athletes, our institutions, and the future of Nigerian sports.”
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The Senator, well-known for his multiple marriages, inadvertently shifted part of the public conversation toward his personal life.
Social media users quickly speculated, jokingly, whether he might consider “picking one of them” as his next wife, blending admiration for the athletes with humorous commentary on Nwoko’s polygamous lifestyle.
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Beyond the playful reactions, sports analysts and fans emphasized the significance of the meeting for women’s sports in Nigeria.
Recognition from high-profile figures such as Nwoko can enhance visibility, encourage investment in training facilities, and inspire younger athletes to pursue professional sports careers. D’Tigress’ continued success on the continental stage further cements Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s basketball.
The Federal Government rewarded Nigeria’s female basketball team, with Order of the Niger (OON) national honours, with each of the players getting $100,000 and a flat.
Members of the Coach Rena Makama-led technical team also got $50,000 each.
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