Tinubu gives Super Falcons highest reward in 27yrs

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given the highest cash prize to the Super Falcons since they won their first-ever Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title 27 years ago. The Super Falcons had, on Saturday, made history by winning their 10th WAFCON title when they came from behind to beat hosts Atlas Lionesses of Morocco […]

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given the highest cash prize to the Super Falcons since they won their first-ever Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title 27 years ago.

The Super Falcons had, on Saturday, made history by winning their 10th WAFCON title when they came from behind to beat hosts Atlas Lionesses of Morocco 3-2 in the final of the 2024 edition of the WAFCON in Rabat, Morocco.

When he hosted the victorious team yesterday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Tinubu conferred the National Honour of Officer of the Niger (OON) on all the 24 players and the 11 technical members of the Super Falcons.

He also directed the allocation of a three-bedroom apartment to each of the players and the technical crew members in the federal government’s Renewed Hope Estate in Abuja.

The president approved a cash award of the naira equivalent of $100,000 (N150 million) to each of the 24 players, and $50,000 (N75m) to each member of the technical crew.

While eulogising the team, the president said: “You have inspired millions, especially young girls who now see proof that their dreams are valid and achievable.

“You have inspired me, too. And it is great for a nation to have assets that are the hope of today, tomorrow and the day after.

“You represent that hope. You ignited that hope. And we will continue to encourage you, the next generation and other generations after you.”

Tinubu also recounted the emotional moments of the final match, noting how the team’s performance lifted the nation’s spirits and united Nigerians from all walks of life.

“Your victory represents more than a sporting accomplishment. It is a triumph of courage, determination, discipline and consistency.

“Honestly, I didn’t want to watch the match. I didn’t want to have high blood pressure. But people came in and turned my TV on that channel. When it was 2-0, I got very offended and restless. But I was still watching with the spirit of resilience, determination and courage. And after that penalty, my strength was lifted, and I believe that of the nation was lifted too.

“But you almost made me angrier because your mother (the first lady) was in the kitchen, nearly abandoning my dinner.

 

“She doesn’t watch the game except when the girls are playing. And at the end of the final whistle, it was joy all over the country,’’ he said.

The president assured the team of his administration’s continued support and commitment to sports development, pledging that the government would invest further in women’s football and youth talent development across the country.

“Your story is a story of hope. And in this era of Renewed Hope, we celebrate you, not just as champions of Africa, but as champions of the Nigerian dream,” the president said.

On her part, the first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, described the Super Falcons as role models and shining examples of courage and excellence.

She congratulated them for their exceptional performance and unwavering spirit, describing their journey as “a testament to resilience, teamwork and determination.

“You played with passion, confidence, and an unshakeable belief in yourselves—that it is not over until it is over.

“The zeal you displayed on the pitch was nothing short of inspirational. You never wavered and reminded the world why Nigeria remains a powerhouse in African women’s football,” she said.

The first lady prayed for the team’s continued success and shared an earlier conversation with the president about the team’s bright future as world champions.

“I told Mr. President this morning that you are going on to win the World Cup, and he thought I was too ambitious. But Ajibade, the team captain, just seconded that, and that is possible,” she said.

In a further show of appreciation, the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, also announced a donation of N10 million to each of the players and technical team members on behalf of the 36 state governors.

 

Our victory, celebration of every Nigerian girl – Ajibade

Super Falcons Captain Rasheedat Ajibade described the victory as a celebration of every Nigerian girl who dreams of achieving greatness.

“Today, I stand before you not just as the captain of the Super Falcons, but as a proud daughter of Nigeria, carrying the dreams, resilience and spirit of our great nation.

“On behalf of my teammates, coaches and technical staff, I express our heartfelt gratitude for this warm reception and the unwavering belief you have shown in us,” she told the president.

Emphasising the significance of their 10th WAFCON title, the team captain said: “This victory is not just a trophy. It is a testament to the unyielding spirit of Nigeria. It is a celebration of every young girl in our villages, towns, and cities who dares to dream…This 10th title is for you, Mr. President, for Nigerians, for Super Falcons, and for every young child who believes and dreams to be on this stage someday.”

Ajibade called for continued support from the government and stakeholders to elevate Nigeria’s global standing in women’s football.

The chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, described the team’s victory as a symbol of national unity, inspiration and the triumph of belief, courage and excellence.

Dikko credited President Tinubu’s administration with investing in sports development and women’s empowerment.

“The Super Falcons’ triumph is a fruit of your unwavering support for sports and women. You have always believed that sports can unite us, heal us, and uplift our spirits as one of the major drivers of the economy. And today, we have seen it happen,” he stated.

He commended the first lady for her “constant support for our women in sports.”

“This win goes beyond sports. It is a powerful symbol of our national unity and cohesion. In those 90 minutes, Nigerians everywhere from the north, south, east and west held their breath, prayed together, cheered the team, and finally celebrated together.

“That is the power of sports, and indeed the power of our women in sports,” he said.

 

Mixed reactions trail president’s $100,000 cash reward

Meanwhile, the president’s reward of $100,000 to each of the Super Falcons’ players has attracted mixed reactions.

While some Nigerians said it would inspire other athletes representing the country to put in their best to win laurels, others queried the president’s decision to reward the players with such a “huge” sum of money amidst the inability of most states to pay the N70,000 minimum wage and at a time most Nigerians are grappling with socio-economic challenges.

But members of the sports fraternity in Nigeria hailed the president for the gesture since the inception of sports in the country.

According to some of the sports stakeholders who spoke to Daily Trust yesterday, what President Tinubu has done is unprecedented in the history of Nigerian sports and it will bear more fruits in no distant future.

 

Yakmut, Mouktar, others happy with cash reward

A former Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Alhassan Yakmut, who narrated his role in the formation of the Super Falcons as a team, said he was happy to be alive to witness the day.

He advised that reward for victorious athletes should not stop at the national level, but should be extended to the grassroots where budding athletes need motivation to develop.

He said: “I am very happy the Super Falcons have been honoured this way. In 1991, I was part of those that named the team Falcons.

“Maryam Babangida wanted a special name for the team ahead of their first international competition against Cameroon. I was part of the team then alongside Sibiat Abiola.

“I am happy that I’m alive to witness the national team I helped nurture being the champions for the 10th time. And it is unique for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he was a close confidant of the late pillar of sports, Chief MKO Abiola.

“I am also very happy with the honour. This should go down to the state and local levels where the governments at these levels honour athletes representing them. This will end the restive nature of our teeming youths.”

In the same vein, the chairman of the FCT FA, Alhaji Adam Mouktar Mohammed, said what President Tinubu did was historic, saying it would engender more patriotism in Nigerian athletes.

He commended the Super Falcons for delivering on the promise they made to the entire nation before the 2024 WAFCON in Morocco.

“The Super Falcons made a pledge and delivered the 10th WAFCON in style against the host country in a dramatic fashion.

“Then back home, the President and Commander-in-Chief made history with the biggest cash prize ever as reward for the joy, happiness and positive image they brought to the nation.

“This is also a clear signal that the president takes sports seriously and is even ready to reward sporting success in a rewarding and motivating fashion.

“This is gratifying because the girls deserve everything they received from the president,” he said.

On his part, a former Super Eagles utility player, Garba Lawal, said: “The girls deserve it. No one initially gave them a chance, but now, they are African champions.

“The gesture from the government is heartwarming and it is a clear message to our athletes, not just football alone, that they should strive to do their best and they will be honoured.

“The Super Eagles didn’t win AFCON but were honoured, but with this, I believe the boys will want to do better in their future competitions.”

Corroborating his former teammate’s remarks, Mutiu Adepoju, popularly called “headmaster”, said the presidential gesture would motivate the Super Eagles to turn around their dwindling fortunes and qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

“This is good news and a huge morale booster. I think the Super Eagles will see this and will be motivated to do the same if not more. This will improve women’s football as a whole,” he said.

A member of the victorious 2013 AFCON, Juwon Oshaniwa, described the cash reward as the biggest in the history of sports in the country and thanked the president for heeding to endless calls for better welfare packages for the country’s sportsmen and women.

He also said the gesture from President Tinubu is no doubt a new dawn for women’s football as he stressed that many young girls would be motivated to play the sport.

“This is massive and a huge morale booster for women football. This is the biggest reward and certainly this will motivate other girls to play football.

“Some of us have been clamouring for a better welfare package for the team and this alone will drive more support for the team and women football as a whole.

“I’m really impressed and happy about this. This is a new dawn for women football,” said the former Nigerian international.

 

Tinubu’s reward tonic for the girl-child – Gusau

Also reacting to the cash reward, the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, described the rain of blessings from the president to the Super Falcons as an elixir that would motivate and encourage Nigeria’s girl-child to search for greatness through legitimate pathways.

“I am overjoyed because Mr. President has done what no leader before him had done. This is a magnificent day for women’s football and, indeed, football generally. This action of Mr. President will serve as a fillip to draw out the girl-child in our country to seek greatness through legitimate ways.

“Football has always been the greatest unifier among our peoples from different various physical and mental divides, and economic backgrounds.

“With this pronouncement by Mr. President, the girl-child will now see that they can achieve greatness by doing sport and indeed any other noble profession or vocation.”

In solidarity with their female counterparts, six Super Eagles members also gifted each of the 24 Super Falcons players N1 million.

They are captain William Ekong, Olaoluwa Aina, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Leon Balogun and Joseph Ayodele-Aribo.

 

6 Super Eagles members gift Falcons N1m each

In solidarity with their female counterparts, six Super Eagles members also gifted each of the 24 Super Falcons players N1 million.

They are captain William Ekong, Olaoluwa Aina, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Leon Balogun and Joseph Ayodele-Aribo.