When Nigeria’s Super Falcons lifted the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) trophy in Morocco, national joy erupted. Their hard-fought victory symbolized resilience, excellence, and the boundless potential of Nigerian sportswomen. But what came next sparked a national conversation that went well beyond the football pitch.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to confer national honours and award cash gifts of $100,000 (equivalent in naira) to each of the 24 players, and $50,000 each to the 11-member technical crew, was meant to reward excellence. The total gesture cost the federal government an estimated ₦4.2 billion, and while many Nigerians celebrated it, others questioned the timing and priorities behind such a lavish reward.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe move drew a sharp divide between those praising the President for acknowledging the women’s achievement, and those raising concerns about the country’s worsening economic climate.
President Tinubu is no stranger to rewarding excellence. As former Governor of Lagos State, he was known to reward athletes and public servants who brought acclaim to the state. But unlike in his gubernatorial days when state coffers bore fewer burdens, Tinubu now presides over a nation grappling with record inflation, mounting debt, and a series of nationwide strikes.
The Nigeria Labour Congress and affiliated unions have staged walkouts over minimum wage disputes, while academic and healthcare sectors continue to demand overdue reforms. Against this backdrop, critics argue that the president’s gesture, though well-meaning, appears tone-deaf.
Reactions to the announcement have been polarized. While social media buzzed with praise for the Super Falcons and their well-earned accolades, many Nigerians voiced skepticism over whether such substantial state funds should be dispensed for ceremonial rewards.
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Bayo Onanuga,Special Advicer to the President on Information and Strategy, took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle to defend the President, comparing the reward to Big Brother Naija’s ₦150 million prize money. “If a reality show contestant can receive that much, why shouldn’t national heroes?” he asked.
Others countered that the comparison was flawed. “Big Brother Naija is a privately funded entertainment. The federal budget is taxpayers’ money, especially in a country still borrowing to fund basic services,” @kaizen an economist wrote via his X handle.
The critique intensifies when placed against the fiscal realities: Nigeria’s public debt as of Q1 2025 stands at over ₦97 trillion, with external borrowings on the rise. Inflation hovers above 30%, and the naira remains weak against the dollar. Analysts suggest that financial prudence should take precedence over symbolic gestures, no matter how heartfelt.
“Rewarding athletes is commendable, but timing and moderation matter,” said Dr. Chinyere Ogbonna, a public policy expert at the University of Nigeria. “A smaller, more sustainable token of recognition would have sent the same message without raising fiscal concerns.”
Supporters of the president argue that the gesture uplifts national morale and puts female athletes in the spotlight, often neglected in comparison to their male counterparts. The administration maintains that such gestures are part of a broader national rebranding effort aimed at restoring pride and global visibility.
Still, the ongoing economic crises, widespread subsidy removals, and soaring living costs make the gesture controversial.
The Super Falcons have no doubt done the nation proud. Their victory deserves celebration and recognition. However, the national debate surrounding their reward underscores a deeper dilemma facing Nigeria: how to balance symbolism with substance.
As President Tinubu navigates his administration through turbulent economic waters, every act-celebratory or administrative is bound to face heightened scrutiny. In the case of the Super Falcons, the applause is loud, but so are the questions.
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