Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has come out strongly in defence of President Bola Tinubu’s generous rewards to the Super Falcons, saying the gesture is a celebration of excellence, not excess.
Following the Super Falcons’ triumphant win at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), President Tinubu had conferred national honours (OON), cash rewards of $100,000 to each player, $50,000 to coaching staff, and housing allocations in Abuja’s Renewed Hope Housing Estate. The move sparked mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians questioning the timing, amount, and use of foreign currency.
Onanuga, however, took to X (formerly Twitter) to justify the rewards and hit back at critics. He argued that if the winner of Big Brother Naija — a reality TV show — could receive ₦150 million, then rewarding national heroes who brought pride to the country was more than appropriate.
“When you remember that Multichoice, the organiser 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,” he tweeted.
He further stated that the president’s action was meant to honour “excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry, and the undying Nigerian spirit.”
While some Nigerians supported the president’s gesture, others criticised the use of dollars and questioned why similar support isn’t extended to underpaid civil servants or military personnel.
Still, Onanuga maintained that the President was right to celebrate the Falcons in a big way, saying their historic win deserves more than just applause — it demands national recognition.
