Presidency Justifies Falcons’ Reward, Questions BBNaija N150m ‘Immorality’ Prize

The Presidency has defended the $100,000 cash reward and three-bedroom houses approved by President Bola Tinubu for each of the 24 Super Falcons players following their victory at the 10th TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

Presidential spokesman, Temitope Ajayi, said if the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality TV show winners could get N150m for ‘immorality’, Tinubu’s approval of $100,000 cash reward for each of the players was in order.

“If some companies can shell out $100,000 as reward for promoting immorality on Live Television, President Tinubu did well for rewarding the ladies of Super Falcons for their patriotism, dedication and service to the country,” said Ajayi, who is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity.

Reacting also, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Nigerians should be appreciative of his principal’s decision to reward the players.

“When you remember that Multichoice, the organizer 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.

“President Tinubu has rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry and the undying Nigerian spirit.”

On Monday, President Tinubu hosted the victorious team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he announced the cash gifts, national honours, and housing allocation.

Each player is to receive $100,000 and a three-bedroom apartment under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.

The president also awarded Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) national honours to the players and the technical team, and approved $50,000 for each of the 11 team officials.

“You have inspired millions, especially young girls who now see proof that their dreams are valid and achievable,” Tinubu said, lauding the team’s comeback from a 2-0 deficit to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final.

He described their victory as more than a sporting accomplishment, calling it “a triumph of courage, determination, discipline, and consistency.”

“Honestly, I didn’t want to watch the match. I didn’t want to have high blood pressure. But people came in and turned my TV on that channel. When it was 2-0, I got very offended and restless,” Tinubu recounted.

“But I was still watching with the spirit of resilience, determination, and courage. And after that penalty, my strength was lifted, and I believe that of the nation was lifted too.”

The president added humorously that the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, nearly abandoned his dinner while watching the tense match.

“She doesn’t watch the game except when the girls are playing. And at the end of the final whistle, it was joy all over the country,” he said.

The president’s gesture was further supported by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

The NGF chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, announced a N10m donation to each player and official on behalf of the 36 state governors.

The First Lady praised the team, calling them “role models and shining examples of courage and excellence.”

She added: “You played with passion, confidence, and an unshakeable belief in yourselves—that it is not over until it is over.”

However, the government’s reward has been met with criticism from some Nigerians.

@KAA_Truths on microblogging platform, X, wrote: “Imagine the thoughts of a public school teacher who wakes up every day to shape the minds of children….on a ₦50,000 salary. Imagine the frustration of a medical doctor…yet earns ₦250,000… Imagine the tears of a civil servant, begging for a ₦70,000 minimum wage for years, watching others receive in a day what he won’t earn in a lifetime.”

He added, “Yes, it’s beautiful to reward excellence. But it is dangerous to ignore sacrifice.”

Another user, @DanielRegha, said: “Super Falcons will also get N10m each from the “Nigeria Governors Forum”, with an additional 24 million from the Super Eagles. This is minus the N152m cash per player from Tinubu’s govt. That’s a total of over N163m per person. Again, these players are being paid to represent Nigeria, it’s not free, and will also get 30% of the cash prize which is more than enough money.

“Mind you this is happening in a country where there have been protests over delayed, reduced, and increment of salaries. Presently, some doctors are on strike for salary reduction, but Super Falcons get N162m from the govt for just entertainment. The next govt will want to top that or normalize this as the standard, another problem. All done with public funds of course. Absolute NONSENSE.”

Presidency Justifies Falcons’ Reward, Questions BBNaija N150m ‘Immorality’ Prize is first published on The Whistler Newspaper