The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, and his deputy, Benjamin Kalu, have hailed Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, for beating Mali at the final of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket, winning the trophy for a record seventh time.
D’Tigress, coached by Rena Wakama, were crowned champions of the basketball tournament on Sunday at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Nigeria has now made history as the first country on the continent to win women’s Afrobasket championships five consecutive times, while the team remained unbeaten in the tournament for a decade—since 2015.
The elated Speaker commended the female basketball team for making Nigeria proud, saying the victory marks another joyful moment for Nigerians home and abroad, after the women’s national football team, the Super Falcons, recently won its 10th WAFCON.
While noting that the D’Tigress have further proven that women have the capability and the courage to cause positive changes to Nigeria, the Speaker said he is now more emboldened to continue with his campaign for gender equality, especially women’s inclusion in politics and governance.
Tajudeen said he expects to see more women breaking barriers and records individually and collectively in other areas of human endeavour.
As he congratulates the D’Tigress, the Speaker called for their appreciation when they return to their home country with the trophy.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, also congratulated D’Tigress following their historic victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship, where they clinched their fifth consecutive title.
Kalu in a statement hailed the team’s remarkable display of resilience, determination and teamwork, describing them as an inspiration to the girl child.
The Deputy Speaker also commended the Coach, Rena Wakama and the crew for their outstanding leadership and strategic execution. He said that their superb performance throughout the competition has made Nigeria proud.
“History Made Again by our Women! Big Congratulations to our incredible Dtigress on winning the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title and becoming the first country in Africa to win this title 5 times consecutively,” Kalu said.
“With this resounding victory over Mali, these women have made us all proud as a nation. What a moment for Nigeria, and what a legacy. Another reminder that our women are ready to take our nation to greater heights.”
“Kudos to Coach Rena Wakama and the entire team for flying our flag high and qualifying us directly for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin. We are confident that you will come home with the trophy.” The Deputy Speaker conclude.