|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Nigeria’s women’s national football team, the Super Falcons, are riding high after their remarkable triumph at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The team staged an unforgettable comeback against hosts Morocco, overturning a two-goal deficit to secure their tenth WAFCON title and twelfth continental trophy overall. Their return home was met with nationwide celebrations, first in Abuja, then in Lagos, complete with music, fanfare, and corporate gifts.
Telecom giant MTN handed the team N150 million ($98,000) during a breakfast ceremony, adding to an already growing list of rewards. In Abuja, President Bola Tinubu hosted the squad alongside top government officials, where he conferred the national honor of the Order of the Niger (OON) on each player. Tinubu went further, announcing $100,000 and a three-bedroom apartment for every player, while coaches and technical staff would each receive $50,000. The Nigerian Governors’ Forum also pledged N360 million ($235,000) to be shared among the 24 players and nearly a dozen staff.
While the players celebrated the recognition, some Nigerians are skeptical about whether these promises will be fulfilled promptly. The country’s track record is far from stellar, AFCON-winning players from 1994 only received their promised houses last month, and Olympic gold medallist Chioma Ajunwa waited 25 years for her reward.
Beyond the question of delivery lies a broader public debate over the size of the rewards. Critics say the multi-million-dollar package is extravagant, especially at a time when the country faces a severe cost-of-living crisis, underfunded healthcare, and growing insecurity. On social media, many point to the government’s recent approval of a $21.1 billion loan to plug budget deficits, alongside other international borrowings and domestic bond sales.
X user @lollypeezle called the gesture “wasteful spending,” highlighting the struggles of retired police officers and soldiers facing poor rations. Another user, @Logiebo, noted, “It’s not like we’re even rich, just living on borrowed funds.” The sentiment is gaining traction, with concerns about how such expenses fit into the already strained budget.
Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga attempted to justify the amount by comparing it to the N150 million grand prize in Big Brother Naija, but this drew more backlash. Critics argue that unlike a privately funded reality show, the government is spending taxpayer money, and should prioritize teachers, healthcare workers, and security personnel. With Nigeria’s minimum wage at N70,000 ($45) barely covering the cost of a bag of rice, awarding nearly $3 million to the team and staff strikes many as fiscally irresponsible.
For supporters of the government’s move, the rewards are a much-needed morale boost and recognition of the team’s dedication. For critics, they are yet another example of misaligned priorities in an economy under pressure. Whether the promised rewards reach the players quickly, or at all, will determine if this celebration ends as a unifying national moment or another cautionary tale in Nigeria’s sporting history.