Nigeria basketball specialist, Pius Ayinor, sheds light on the new XE Jet and D’Tigress partnership
Africa’s most celebrated women’s national basketball team, Nigeria’s D’Tigress have over the past decade emerged as a global force in women’s basketball, winning multiple African championships and elevating Nigeria’s international reputation in the sport.
They took it to the highest level by winning the Afrobasket in Five-straight times from 2017 to date, and in doing this, they have stayed unbeaten against all African formidable opponents from the summer of 2015, even as they continue their campaign in Lyon, France, preparatory to the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup which will be held in Berlin, Germany this September.
D’Tigress have made a great mark globally, starting with their 2004 rookie appearance at the Olympics, where they became the first African team to win a game at that level. Their performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics confirmed them as not only the best team in Africa but also a team with a strong global footing. Young Coach Rena Wakama, who was making her debut at the world stage, was voted the best coach.
D’Tigress, a collection of very pretty, fit and brilliant ladies, have put their names into the hearts of people and into homes across the globe, but they lacked a partnership that could make them sit well amongst the big brands where they truly belong. It was so until luxury airline XE Jet and the Nigeria Basketball Federation recently began a strategic partnership that covers the team. This deal, which can be described as a package made in Heaven, has filled a huge void in the Nigerian sports ecosystem.
It is a package that transcends far beyond Nigerian basketball but fills up the Nigerian sports ecosystem in a way never known. It has made travelling arrangements a lot easier for the team and given these African queens the quality of life they truly deserve while serving Nigeria.
Last week, the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) announced a landmark strategic partnership with XE Jet, naming the aviation company the Official Aviation Partner of Nigeria’s Senior Women’s National Basketball Team, D’Tigress.
The partnership represents one of the most significant aviation collaborations in African basketball and marks a major step in strengthening the commercial and operational foundation supporting Nigeria’s women’s national basketball team — widely recognized as the most dominant women’s basketball team in Africa.
Under the agreement, XE Jet will provide dedicated aviation and travel logistics support for the national team, ensuring D’Tigress travel with the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and comfort as they represent Nigeria in international competitions.
D’Tigress are currently competing in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifiers that began March 11 and will round off on the 17th in Lyon, France.
This deal has been celebrated by the Nigerian sports community. The President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida welcomed the partnership as a major milestone for Nigerian basketball.
He said, “D’Tigress continue to inspire the nation through their excellence, discipline, and achievements on the global stage. This partnership with XE Jet reflects the growing confidence of corporate Nigeria in our women’s national team and reinforces our commitment to providing our athletes with the support they deserve.”
The CEO of XE Jet, Emmanuel Iza, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting Nigerian excellence and advancing women’s sport.
Iza said, “XE Jet is proud to stand alongside D’Tigress as they continue to carry the Nigerian flag with pride across the world. Supporting these remarkable athletes aligns with our belief in excellence, leadership, and the power of sport to inspire future generations.”
This awesome partnership did not come on a platter of gold for the basketball federation. The NBBF Sponsorship and Marketing Committee Chairman, Ugo Udezue, was the pivot for the NBBF. As the man who birthed the idea of the partnership, he pursued it as his salvation depended on it. It took more than one year to get the XE Jet team to sit down and put pen to paper.
Every successful outing of D’Tigress meant a lot for Ugo, who, as the CEO of AFA Sports, was working in a familiar terrain. As the man who built the African Basketball League and later the Continental Basketball League from nothing, he understood the terrain. AFA Sports, now global, was similarly built.
“No, I don’t see it as a personal achievement; it was a team work. What could have been achieved without the enormous backing of our leader, Musa Kida? I’m highly impressed also by the very professional response from XE Jet.
“The drive, inspiration was simply to make the Nigerian sports ecosystem function fluidly and of course for D’Tigers to get the global reckoning that they deserve,” Ugo Udezue said in Lyon.
D’Tigress and NBBF, with this deal, join such major sports teams, particularly in European football, that have official airline partners, with
Qatar Airways (UEFA, PSG), Emirates (Real Madrid, AC Milan, Lyon), and Etihad (Manchester City, NYCFC) are leading in sponsorships. Other partnerships include Lufthansa (German National Team), Iberia (Spanish National Team), and now XE Jet (Nigeria’s D’Tigress).
XE Jet is a premium airline that commenced its scheduled XEJ et Premium service, featuring an all-business-class, 24-seater CRJ200 aircraft, between Abuja, the capital city and Lagos in 2024.
The airline offers a premium business-class experience that sets new standards for luxury travel across Nigeria.
The introduction of scheduled flights marked a key milestone in XE Jet’s growth and strengthened the airline’s commitment to providing top-tier aviation services, catering specifically to the needs of business travellers seeking comfort, privacy, and exceptional service.
In addition to the premium all-business-class service, XE Jet has introduced Express service on the E190, offering a more versatile option with 104 all-economy-class seats while still maintaining the luxury synonymous with XE Jet for economy passengers.
Back on the basketball courts, XE Jet, D’Tigress and the NBBF are celebrating the partnership and the team’s participation in the World Cup Qualifiers. To this end, XE Jet will host an exclusive Women in Sports Leadership Reception in Lyon, bringing together leaders from sport, government, diplomacy, and business to advance women’s basketball and strengthen international collaboration on African sport.
The reception will also recognize the achievements of the players and the broader leadership community supporting women’s sport in Africa.
The Nigeria Basketball Federation said last week that it remains committed to building strong commercial partnerships that strengthen the basketball ecosystem, empower athletes, and position Nigeria as a leading force in global basketball.
Photo: Ezinne Kalu against Colombia at the 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifiers
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