Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga has defended President Bola Tinubu’s financial and national honors bestowed on the Super Falcons, following their historic victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Taking to his official X account (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Onanuga responded to critics questioning the scale and appropriateness of the rewards. He drew a sharp comparison to the ₦150 million grand prize awarded to the winner of the reality TV show Big Brother Naija (BBNaija).
“When you remember that Multichoice, the organiser of BBNaija, is offering the winner ₦150 million, you wonder why some Nigerians are unappreciative of President Tinubu’s rewards to the Super Falcons,” he posted.
“President Tinubu has rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry, and the undying Nigerian spirit.”
What Tinubu Gave the Super Falcons
Earlier this week, President Tinubu hosted the triumphant team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he awarded:
National honours: Each player and coaching staff received the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) title.
Cash rewards: $100,000 (in naira equivalent) for each player and $50,000 for each technical crew member.
Housing: A three-bedroom apartment for each team member in the Renewed Hope Housing Estate, located in the Federal Capital Territory.
Mixed Reactions Online
Onanuga’s BBNaija comparison stirred up debate on social media, with users split over whether the reward was excessive, inadequate, or well-deserved.
Some users took issue with the dollar-denominated gifts, questioning the symbolism and economic implications:
@Wale_Abdul asked, “Why is he gifting them in dollars? Even the richest countries don’t do that for salaried athletes.”
@Bolanle_Juwon echoed the concern: “Why dollars and not naira? The Nigerian government should stop promoting foreign currencies.”
Others raised concerns about equity and timing:
@Daroking remarked, “Underpaid soldiers and police officers also deserve such recognition. Everything is politics.”
@Ezekwem_Franklin added, “This isn’t a thoughtful gesture when millions are in poverty and insecurity is rampant. It seems like a PR move.”
However, some users supported the President’s decision:
@Ghali_Ismael said, “Alhamdulillah. I’m very impressed with how the President rewarded the team. Congratulations to the Falcons.”
@IAm_Emma_Eze tweeted, “Let’s be fair, Tinubu’s gesture deserves applause. Many presidents ignore sports achievements altogether.”
Still, others criticized the BBNaija analogy directly:
@Official_dharmy noted, “BBNaija is privately funded. The Falcons played for the nation. That comparison doesn’t hold.”
@SirDavidBent asked, “Why must the government justify national gestures by referencing TV shows?”
Bottom Line
While President Tinubu’s recognition of the Super Falcons’ WAFCON triumph has drawn praise in some quarters, the decision—and the rhetoric used to defend it—has reignited public debate on national priorities, reward equity, and symbolic leadership.
