To honour their remarkable feat, Zenith Bank hosted the team at its Maitama, Abuja, head office on Tuesday
Zenith Bank Rewards D’Tigress with N200m for Historic AfroBasket Win, Vows Continued Support for Women’s Basketball
In a grand celebration of sporting excellence, Zenith Bank has awarded Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, a whopping N200 million following their historic triumph at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket championship.
The reigning African queens secured their fifth consecutive and seventh overall title, defeating Mali 78-64 in the finals held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire—cementing their status as the most successful team in AfroBasket history.
To honour their remarkable feat, Zenith Bank hosted the team at its Maitama, Abuja, head office on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, in a colourful reception attended by top executives, sports officials, and members of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).
Speaking during the event, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dame Adaora Umeoji, praised the team’s resilience, talent, and dedication, noting that their victory is a symbol of African excellence.
“Your victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket is not just a win for Nigeria—it is a win for African sports,” Umeoji said.
“At Zenith Bank, we celebrate your victory not just as supporters, but as longstanding partners in the development of women’s basketball in Nigeria.”
She also reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting the Women’s National Basketball League, which it has sponsored consistently for 18 years.
“I hereby reaffirm Zenith Bank’s steadfast commitment to advancing women’s basketball and promoting sports development across Nigeria,” she added.
Zenith Bank, recently named Nigeria’s Best Bank at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025, has built a strong legacy of sports development, especially in empowering female athletes.
Findings show that the N200 million reward will see each player receive N10 million, with the rest shared among the coaching crew and support staff.
Responding on behalf of the team, Amy Okonkwo—D’Tigress captain and Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament—thanked Zenith Bank for its continuous support and generous reward.
“We are deeply grateful to Zenith Bank for believing in us and supporting women’s basketball all these years. This gesture motivates us to keep pushing boundaries,” Okonkwo said.
The event was graced by Zenith Bank Executive Directors Adobi Nwapa, Akin Ogunranti, Henry Oroh, and Louis Odom, alongside NBBF President Musa Kida and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko—all of whom applauded D’Tigress for bringing glory to the nation.
Zenith Bank’s reward stands as one of the most significant financial gestures towards a female national team in recent history and reaffirms the growing recognition of women’s sports in Nigeria. Read More
