Presidency defends Tinubu’s N150m reward, honours for Super Falcons

The Presidency has come out in strong defence of the cash gifts, national honours, and housing awards bestowed on Nigeria’s victorious Super Falcons by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, amid growing public debate over the lavish rewards.

On Monday, July 28, 2025, President Tinubu hosted the Super Falcons and their technical crew at a special reception at the State House in Abuja, following their historic triumph at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, where they clinched Nigeria’s 10th WAFCON title.

At the event, each of the 24 players received the naira equivalent of $100,000 (approximately N150 million in total), a three-bedroom apartment in the Renewed Hope Housing Estate, Abuja, and was conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) national honour.

Team officials were also rewarded with $50,000 (naira equivalent) and the same OON recognition.

The gesture sparked mixed reactions across social media and public discourse, with some Nigerians questioning the economic justification of such a lavish gift in the face of widespread poverty, inflation, and a growing debt burden.

Critics also pointed to other urgent national priorities — such as unpaid salaries of civil servants, decaying infrastructure, and the underfunding of education and healthcare — as areas that deserved such financial attention.

In response, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, took to social media to defend the administration’s decision, urging Nigerians to recognize the significance of the Falcons’ victory and their contribution to national pride.

“When you remember that Multichoice, the organiser of the BBNaija reality show, is offering the winner N150 million grand prize, you wonder why some Nigerians are unappreciative of President Tinubu’s rewards to the Super Falcons,” Onanuga wrote.

He further stressed that the President’s reward celebrates “excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry, and the undying Nigerian spirit,” adding that sports achievements deserve national recognition as a powerful unifying force and symbol of resilience.

READ ALSO: Tinubu’s $100,000 reward to Super Falcons sparks mixed reactions

Members of the Super Falcons have expressed gratitude for the recognition, describing it as a historic moment for women’s sports in Nigeria.

Many praised the administration for not only celebrating their win but also investing in female athletes in a way that could inspire future generations.

The Nigeria Pitch Awards, an industry award body for football excellence, also congratulated the team, describing their WAFCON success as a shining moment in Nigeria’s sports history.

The Super Falcons’ victory in Morocco marked a record-extending 10th title at the continental level, reaffirming Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s football. The team’s journey to victory was also marked by spirited performances, including triumphs over regional powerhouses.

While the reward has now become a subject of national debate, the Tinubu administration insists that celebrating national heroes is not just symbolic but essential to fostering patriotism, motivation, and unity.

Whether the backlash will influence future government gestures remains uncertain, but the debate has underscored the broader conversation around reward prioritization, national values, and fiscal responsibility.