Ebonyi Governor Gifts D’Tigress Star Blessing Ejiofor N30m and Duplex After AfroBasket Triumph

In a striking gesture of recognition, Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has rewarded D’Tigress forward Blessing Ejiofor with N30 million and a duplex following Nigeria’s fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket victory in 2025.

The move stands out as a rare instance of state-level appreciation for female athletes in Nigeria, where sports funding remains chronically low. UNESCO’s 2022 report placed Nigeria’s sports budget at just 0.01% of GDP, underscoring the limited institutional support that athletes often contend with.

Against this backdrop, Nwifuru’s personal intervention has sparked conversations about how much value state governments can place on sports as both a source of pride and a development tool.

Blessing Ejiofor, a pivotal figure in D’Tigress’ latest AfroBasket triumph, now embodies the changing narrative of women’s sports in Nigeria.

The team’s dominance is unparalleled on the continent, clinching five back-to-back AfroBasket titles from 2017 to 2025 and becoming the only African side to ever reach the quarter-finals of the FIBA Women’s World Cup.

This sustained success has carved out a new identity for Nigerian women’s basketball, where global recognition is no longer just a dream but a recurring reality.

Ejiofor’s recognition at home not only validates her contributions but also signals a cultural shift in a society where female athletes have long battled neglect.

The governor’s action, however, contrasts sharply with the broader African sports landscape. A 2023 Journal of Sports Economics study revealed that only 12% of African athletes ever receive significant rewards or incentives after international competition, leaving the majority to return to relative obscurity.

Nwifuru’s decision to elevate Ejiofor with both financial and material assets may, therefore, mark a turning point for Ebonyi State, potentially setting a precedent for other states to follow in celebrating their sporting icons.

For D’Tigress, the victory further cements their place in history, but for Ejiofor personally, the recognition may prove even more meaningful—a symbol that her contributions are not only noticed on the international stage but also honored at home.

Whether this marks the beginning of a broader embrace of sports as a development strategy in Nigeria remains uncertain, but in Ebonyi, the message is clear: excellence deserves reward, and female athletes are finally getting their due.