Nigeria’s Amy Okonkwo has been crowned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket following a commanding performance that helped the D’Tigress secure a fifth consecutive continental title.
Okonkwo’s brilliance capped off a dominant tournament run as Nigeria defeated Mali 78–64 in Sunday’s final at the Palais des Sports de Treichville.
The victory extended Nigeria’s unbeaten streak in the AfroBasket to 29 games, dating back to 2017, and marked their seventh overall championship.
The D’Tigress captain played the full 40 minutes of the final, recording 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Her leadership and consistency throughout the tournament were instrumental in Nigeria’s flawless campaign.
“She was the heartbeat of our team,” Coach Rena Wakama said after the win. “Her poise under pressure and ability to execute on both ends of the floor inspired everyone.”
Okonkwo’s stellar outing also earned her a spot in the Tournament’s Best V and placed her among a select group of players with multiple AfroBasket MVP titles.
She now joins the ranks of Nigeria’s Mfon Udoka (2003, 2005), Senegal’s Aya Traoré (2009, 2015), and Angola’s Nacissela Maurício (2011, 2013).
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Nigeria had to dig deep for the win after trailing at the end of the first quarter.
They rallied to level the game 41–41 by halftime before pulling ahead in the third quarter and sealing the deal with a dominant fourth-quarter performance.
Ezinne Kalu topped the scoring charts with 20 points, while Victoria Macaulay and Murjanatu Musa added 22 points and 10 rebounds combined, helping Nigeria maintain their dominance in the paint.
Under Coach Wakama—who made history in 2023 as the first female head coach to win the championship—D’Tigress continue to set new standards in African women’s basketball.
Nigeria’s titles in 2003, 2005, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, and now 2025 firmly establish the West African nation as the most dominant force in the competition’s modern era.
With Okonkwo’s star continuing to rise and Wakama’s tactical acumen on full display, Nigeria’s reign at the summit of African women’s basketball looks far from over.