Presidency Defends Super Falcons’ WAFCON Rewards Amid Public Criticism

Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga has pushed back against criticisms surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s lavish reward package to the Super Falcons following their historic victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Onanuga said he was “surprised” that some Nigerians were unhappy with the president’s gesture.

The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy drew a comparison to Nigeria’s popular reality TV show, Big Brother Naija (BBNaija), where the winner typically walks away with ₦150 million in cash and prizes.

“When you remember that Multichoice, the organizer of BBNaija, 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 that the president’s gesture was a celebration of "excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry, and the undying Nigerian spirit."

Following their WAFCON win, President Tinubu awarded the following to the team:

• $100,000 to each of the 24 players

• $50,000 to each coach and support staff

• Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) national honors to all 35 team members

• A three-bedroom home under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme for each team member

While some Nigerians celebrated the president’s move as a timely show of support for women’s sports, others questioned the prioritization of funds amidst rising living costs, economic challenges, and ongoing strikes across various sectors.

Still, Onanuga insists the reward is both justified and necessary, framing it as an investment in national pride and sports excellence.