Zenith Bank Plc has announced a generous donation of ₦200 million to Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, the D’Tigress, in recognition of their outstanding victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship.
The bank’s Group Managing Director, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, disclosed the donation shortly after the team returned to the country following their historic fifth consecutive AfroBasket title. According to the bank’s statement, each of the players will receive ₦10 million, which will be paid into Zenith Bank accounts specially opened for them, while the remaining funds will be disbursed among the team’s technical and support staff.
This gesture by Zenith Bank is seen as a morale booster for the athletes, who have continued to bring pride and honor to Nigeria despite limited resources and institutional support. The move has also sparked nationwide commendation, as many see it as a timely and commendable intervention in rewarding excellence and encouraging youth participation in sports.
The Nigerian basketball community and sports stakeholders have lauded Zenith Bank’s intervention as a show of corporate responsibility that sets a positive example for other private sector actors. “What Zenith Bank has done is not just a donation — it’s an investment in hope, motivation, and the future of Nigerian sports,” one analyst said.
The D’Tigress, who defeated Senegal in the final match of the AfroBasket tournament in Kigali, Rwanda, have now etched their name deeper into continental basketball history. Their fifth straight championship makes them the most successful African women’s basketball team in modern times.
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier hosted the team at the Presidential Villa and conferred on each member the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) national honour, alongside a cash reward of ₦5 million per player. The federal government also pledged a house in any location of their choice across Nigeria.
The combined efforts of both the federal government and the private sector, especially Zenith Bank, are being seen as a major milestone in the recognition and empowerment of Nigerian female athletes.
The D’Tigress continue to inspire millions of young girls across the country, serving as powerful role models in both sports and national representation.
