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Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent monetary reward to the Super Falcons following their historic victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Rabat, Morocco.
The Super Falcons clinched their 10th continental title in a dramatic finale, prompting the President to reward each player with $100,000 (approximately ₦153 million) and each member of the coaching crew with $50,000 (₦75.6 million). The total cash expenditure amounted to ₦4.5 billion.
In addition to the cash gifts, Tinubu also conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on each player and awarded them a three-bedroom apartment.
However, the gesture sparked criticism from some Nigerians who described the reward as excessive and a misplaced priority amid pressing national issues such as the ongoing strikes by medical doctors and academic unions.
Responding to the backlash, Onanuga defended the President in a tweet, stating that the reward was in line with what a grateful nation should do for its sports heroes.
“When you remember that Multichoice, the organizer of the BBNaija reality show, is offering the winner ₦150 million as grand prize, you wonder why some Nigerians are unappreciative of President Tinubu’s reward to the Super Falcons,” Onanuga tweeted.
He argued that the amount given to the team was justified, given their extraordinary achievement on the continental stage.
