The presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, has justified President Bola Tinubu’s national honours and cash incentives for Nigeria’s Super Falcons’ triumph in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Onanuga responded to critics who said the prizes were either excessive or insufficient, in a message uploaded on his official X (previously Twitter) account on Tuesday.
He compared it to the ₦150 million grand prize awarded to the winner of the reality show Big Brother Naija (BBNaija).
He wrote, “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.
“President Tinubu has rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry, and the undying Nigerian spirit.”
Onanuga’s comments came hours after Tinubu hosted the triumphant squad at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
At the event, each player and coach received the national distinction of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
In addition, Tinubu offered a cash award of $100,000 naira for each player and $50,000 for each technical crew member.
He also guaranteed all team members three-bedroom apartments in the Renewed Hope Housing Estate in the Federal Capital Territory.
Onanuga’s comparison of the Super Falcons’ prizes to BBNaija’s prize money sparked a flurry of varied emotions on X, with many Nigerians debating the appropriateness of the gesture and similarity.
One user, @Wale_Abdul, questioned the use of foreign currency, asking, “Why is he gifting them in dollars? The richest countries in the world won’t ever make such gifts to athletes who collect salaries.”
Another, @Bolanle_Juwon, echoed the sentiment, writing, “Why dollars and not the equivalent in naira? The Nigerian government should, as a matter of urgency, do away with the line of promoting another nation’s currency.”
@Daroking expressed scepticism about the gesture, saying, “Which one is ‘Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu’ for our president’s name? Well, as much as I’m happy for them, everything is politics. We have underpaid soldiers and police who also deserve better.”
@Ezekwem_ Franklin offered a broader critique, stating, “I’m not against the gift, but that amount is too much for a country whose citizens are living in abject poverty, infrastructural decay, and insecurity. This wasn’t thoughtful from President Tinubu; it’s not a good way to buy favour.”
However, some social media users welcomed the president’s gesture to the team.
@Ghali_Ismael praised the move, saying, “Alhamdulillah Rabil Aalameen for HIS blessings upon us at all times and places. To say the least, I am very impressed with the way Mr. President rewarded the team. Congratulations once again.”
In the same vein, @Official_dharmy argued that the comparison to BBNaija was misplaced, noting, “BBNaija is private money. Falcons played for the country. It’s not the same. The comparison doesn’t work.”
@SirDavidBent asked, “Why is it so hard for the government to do the right thing without comparing it to a TV show?”
Meanwhile, @IAm_Emma_Eze expressed support for the recognition, tweeting, “Let’s be fair, Tinubu’s gesture to the Super Falcons deserves applause. Some presidents ignore sports achievements entirely.”
And @NenyeVibes added, “BBNaija gets private funding. Falcons represent national pride. Both deserve rewards, but one shouldn’t be used to justify the other.”
