‘Some Nigerians are unappreciative’: Presidency defends Tinubu’s Falcons rewards

The Presidency has defended the financial reward given to Nigeria’s senior women’s national football team, Super Falcons, by President Bola Tinubu for their victory at the just concluded Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

Scores of Nigerians reacted on Monday, July 28, 2025, after Tinubu approved a cash award of the naira equivalent of $100,000 to each of the 24 players, and $50,000 equivalent to each technical team member.

The president also conferred national honours on all 24 players and the 11-member technical team.

Tinubu equally directed the allocation of one three-bedroom apartment to each player and technical crew member in the government’s Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.

Reacting to the condemnations that trailed the rewards, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said some Nigerians are unappreciative of Tinubu’s cash reward to the players.

Tinubu to Super Falcons: You got me angrier, Remi almost abandoned my dinner

Onanuga, in a post on X on Tuesday, compared the cash reward to the N150 million grand prize given to the winner of reality TV show, Big Brother Naija (BBNaija).

The presidential spokesman added that Tinubu rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, and the undying Nigerian spirit.

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

The Falcons made history on Saturday, coming from two goals down to defeat host country Morocco 3-2 to win 10th WAFCON title.

The Star