After Receiving $100K, D’Tigress, Falcons Inspire Nigerian Parents to Back Sports as Career for Students

Following the spectacular victories by Nigeria’s female national teams in basketball and football and the staggering $100,000 cash rewards, national honours (OON), and house gifts from the Federal Government, parents across the country are now urging students to see sports as a viable path to success.

In a series of vox pop interviews conducted by Briefing Brew across Ibadan and Lagos, several parents expressed pride in the achievements of Nigerian female athletes and urged educational institutions to place more emphasis on sports development alongside academics.

This comes after Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, claimed a historic fifth consecutive AfroBasket title, while the Super Falcons reached the pinnacle of African football once again by winning the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). Both teams have been rewarded with $100,000 each, national honours of the Order of the Niger (OON), and furnished homes by the Federal Government.

“Gone are the days when sports were seen as a distraction from school,” said Mrs. Toyin Adebayo, a parent and school administrator in Ibadan.

“What we see now is that sports can open doors. These women are now national icons. If our daughters can kick a ball or shoot a hoop with discipline and dedication, why not?”

Mr. Lukman Bello, a father of two students at the University of Ibadan, added: “It’s not just about medals anymore. Look at what D’Tigress and the Falcons have achieved. Respect, money, and even national awards. We need to stop discouraging our children from pursuing sports. It’s time to rethink our priorities.”

Another respondent, Mrs. Janet Eze, who has a son in secondary school, said,

“This government is rewarding excellence. These women were not just celebrated, they were rewarded in real terms. That’s motivation enough for us parents to support our children in sports.”

Schools and universities are also reportedly seeing renewed interest in female sports participation, with many student-athletes saying the recent recognition of women’s teams has sparked hope.

“We’ve always played sports on campus, but now we feel seen,” said Yetunde Ojo, a student and basketball player at the University of Ibadan.

“The success of D’Tigress makes us believe we can dream big and be rewarded.”

This publication understands that as the nation celebrates these sporting milestones, stakeholders are now calling on the Ministry of Youth and Sports, as well as state governments and school authorities, to invest more in grassroots sports infrastructure and policies that support young talents, particularly women.