Soldier slams Tinubu over N150m reward to Super Falcons, decries neglect of military personnel

A visibly aggrieved Nigerian soldier has sparked nationwide debate after publicly criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s recent cash and property rewards to the Super Falcons for winning the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), accusing the federal government of neglecting frontline soldiers who put their lives on the line daily for the country.

In a widely circulated video shared on social media on Monday, the unidentified soldier—speaking in an emotion-laden tone—questioned the fairness of gifting each Super Falcons player N150 million and a three-bedroom apartment, while soldiers serving the nation for decades barely earn a living wage or receive meaningful retirement benefits.

According to him, soldiers who survive 35 years of active duty often retire with “a meagre gratuity that cannot compare” to the millions given to athletes for winning a tournament.

“Even if a soldier retires uninjured after 35 years of service, his total gratuity cannot match what these players got in just one month. Yet, every day we face death so that others can sleep peacefully,” he lamented.

The soldier also recounted the plight of colleagues who died in active service or returned home permanently disabled, only to be abandoned or buried without honour.

He went further to condemn the disparity between the welfare of military personnel and that of Nigerian lawmakers.

He cited the N29 million monthly salary of senators, saying it was unjust that legislators who “sit in air-conditioned offices” earn more than soldiers risking their lives in war zones.

“Some of us haven’t received salaries in months. Some of us die in the bush without a name, without a burial. But the senators go home with tens of millions every month,” he said.

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Despite his frustrations, the soldier ended his message with a prayer, expressing hope that divine intervention would one day transform Nigeria’s leadership.

“No amount of money or power can bribe death. The same God who delivered Israel from Egypt will remember us—the soldiers—and bring justice to Nigeria,” he said, urging God to restore dignity to those who make the ultimate sacrifice.

The video has ignited heated reactions across social media, with many Nigerians sympathizing with the soldier and calling for a more balanced approach to national rewards and recognition.

While President Tinubu has received widespread praise for supporting the Super Falcons’ historic WAFCON win, critics argue that the government must also prioritize the welfare of other national heroes—particularly military personnel on the frontlines of the country’s internal security operations.