Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has defended the national honours and financial rewards granted by President Bola Tinubu to Nigeria’s Super Falcons, following their triumph at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, Onanuga responded to critics who had described the rewards as either excessive or insufficient. Drawing a comparison with the ₦150 million grand prize offered to the winner of the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality show, he argued that the president’s gesture was a commendable act of recognition.
“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,” Onanuga wrote.
“President Tinubu has rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry, and the undying Nigerian spirit,” he added.
His comments came shortly after President Tinubu hosted the victorious team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where each player and member of the coaching crew was conferred with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
Tinubu also announced a cash reward of the naira equivalent of $100,000 for each player and $50,000 for each technical crew member. In addition, he promised three-bedroom apartments for all team members in the Renewed Hope Housing Estate in the Federal Capital Territory.
Onanuga’s post sparked a wave of mixed reactions on social media, with many Nigerians debating the appropriateness of the reward and the comparison to a reality show.
Critics questioned the use of foreign currency and the political undertones of the gesture. A user, @Wale_Abdul, asked, “Why is he gifting them in dollars? The richest countries in the world won’t ever make such gifting 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 added, “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.”
Others expressed broader concerns about national priorities. @Ezekwem_Franklin stated, “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, several users welcomed the president’s gesture.
@Ghali_Ismael tweeted, “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.”
@Official_dharmy, while supporting the Falcons, disagreed with Onanuga’s analogy. “BBNaija is private money. Falcons played for the country. It’s not the same. The comparison doesn’t work.”
@SirDavidBent questioned the need for the comparison altogether. “Why is it so hard for the government to do the right thing without comparing it to a TV show?”
Another user, @IAm_Emma_Eze, expressed strong support for the recognition, tweeting, “Let’s be fair, Tinubu’s gesture to the Super Falcons deserves applause. Some presidents ignore sports achievements entirely.”
@NenyeVibes added nuance, saying, “BBNaija gets private funding. Falcons represent national pride. Both deserve rewards, but one shouldn’t be used to justify the other.”
Despite the divided opinions, the gesture has reignited debates about reward systems, national values, and the place of sports in Nigeria’s national identity.
The post “Tinubu Rewarded Excellence” — Onanuga Defends Falcons’ Gifts, Compares BBNaija ₦150m Prize To Presidential Gesture From Searchng.NG abijohn.com .
