Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and the Director-General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Philip Shaibu, have congratulated Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, following their victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship in Côte d’Ivoire.

In separate statements issued on Monday, both figures acknowledged the team’s performance in retaining the continental title and called for increased institutional support for women’s basketball development in Nigeria.

Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party, praised the players for what he described as “fearless” and committed displays throughout the tournament. He also commended the team’s coach, Rena Wakama.

“Congratulations D’Tigress, you did it. You played like true queens of the court. Again, you’ve made Nigeria proud, you’ve made Africa proud, and you’ve made history by being the AfroBasket champions five times in a row,” Obi said.

“Thank you for giving us your absolute best, for pouring your heart into every game. Your prowess on the court was exceptional. And to Coach Wakama, thank you for your leadership, strategy, and belief in this team.”

Shaibu, in his message released to the News Agency of Nigeria, said D’Tigress demonstrated discipline and resilience to overcome Mali in the final. He described the game as a close contest in which the Nigerian team took control after the halftime break.

“The defending champions came alive in the third quarter, taking control of the game before sealing a 78–64 victory after a fiercely contested final quarter,” he said.

He also commended the Musa Kida-led Nigeria Basketball Federation and the National Sports Commission for their role in supporting the team.

Both Obi and Shaibu noted the significance of the achievement, which marks Nigeria’s fifth consecutive AfroBasket title, and urged relevant authorities to build on the success by ensuring continued investment in coaching, training, and grassroots development.