The presidency has defended the national honours and financial rewards recently conferred on Nigeria’s Super Falcons by President Bola Tinubu, citing similar high-value prizes offered in the private entertainment sector.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday to respond to criticism that the gesture was either excessive or politically motivated.
“When you remember that Multichoice, the organiser of the BBNaija reality show, is offering the winner ₦150 million grand prize, you wonder why some Nigerians are unappreciative of President Tinubu’s rewards to the Super Falcons,” Onanuga wrote.
He added, “President Tinubu has rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry, and the undying Nigerian spirit.”
The remarks followed Monday’s reception of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champions at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where President Tinubu awarded each player the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), as well as a cash gift of $100,000. Members of the coaching crew were also awarded $50,000 each and national honours, while all team members were promised three-bedroom apartments in the Renewed Hope Housing Estate in the Federal Capital Territory.
The announcement has since ignited debate online, with Nigerians expressing divergent views over the scale of the government’s gesture and Onanuga’s comparison to the BBNaija prize.
Some users questioned the use of foreign currency in the reward package.
“Why is he gifting them in dollars? The richest countries in the world won’t ever make such gifting to athletes who collect salaries,” posted @Wale_Abdul.
“Why dollars and not the equivalent in naira?” added @Bolanle_Juwon. “The Nigerian government should, as a matter of urgency, do away with the line of promoting another nation’s currency.”
Others criticised the perceived disconnect between the gesture and the country’s economic realities.
“I’m not against the gift,” wrote @Ezekwem_Franklin, “but that amount is too much for a country whose citizens are living in abject poverty, infrastructural decay, and insecurity. This wasn’t thoughtful from President Tinubu; it’s not a good way to buy favour.”
However, several commenters defended the administration’s decision.
“To say the least, I am very impressed with the way Mr. President rewarded the team,” said @Ghali_Ismael. “Congratulations once again.”
“The comparison to BBNaija was misplaced,” @Official_dharmy argued, “BBNaija is private money. Falcons played for the country. It’s not the same.”
@NenyeVibes echoed this sentiment: “BBNaija gets private funding. Falcons represent national pride. Both deserve rewards, but one shouldn’t be used to justify the other.”
The Super Falcons’ WAFCON victory marked a record-extending 12th continental title, reigniting public calls for greater investment and recognition in women’s sports. The latest development underscores the growing intersection of sports, politics, and public opinion in Nigeria’s national discourse.
