President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has celebrated the Nigerian women’s national football team, the Super Falcons, following their remarkable victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The team was honoured during a grand reception held on Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where Tinubu announced substantial rewards in recognition of their achievement.
During the event, President Tinubu declared that each member of the 24-woman squad would receive a cash reward of $100,000 (approximately £75,000) and be allocated a fully furnished three-bedroom apartment. The announcement was met with cheers and applause from the players, technical crew, and officials in attendance.
The Super Falcons clinched their 10th WAFCON title in dramatic fashion on Saturday, overcoming host nation Morocco with a thrilling 3-2 comeback in the second half of the final match. The victory reinforced their dominance in African women’s football, having won 10 out of the 13 WAFCON editions since the tournament’s inception in 1998.
“Champions of Africa”: Presidential Commendation
President Tinubu praised the team’s resilience, describing their victory as a symbol of “courage, determination, and consistency.” He admitted to feeling anxious during the match, at one point saying, “I didn’t want to watch the game because of the stress.” However, he expressed immense pride in their performance, stating, “Today, you return not just as footballers, but as champions of Africa. We could not be prouder.”
Upon arrival at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the team received a vibrant welcome featuring cultural performances, traditional drummers, and a gathering of supporters, journalists, and dignitaries. From the airport, they were escorted in a motorcade to the State House for the presidential reception.
National Honours and Symbolic Recognition
In a symbolic gesture on behalf of a grateful nation, President Tinubu conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on each player and staff member. He said the recognition was a testament to their service, not just to Nigerian football, but to national pride and unity.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, speaking at the ceremony, dedicated the team’s success to “every young girl in our villages, towns, and cities who dares to dream.” She called on the government and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to provide continued support, adding that their dream of becoming the best team in the world can only be realized through sustained investment in the women’s game.
A History of Unfulfilled Promises
While the rewards were warmly received, the announcement has also reignited public scrutiny over Nigeria’s history of delayed or unmet pledges to its national teams. Over the years, both the men’s and women’s squads have faced repeated challenges regarding unpaid bonuses, delayed salaries, and broken promises.
Only recently did the Nigerian government fulfil a nearly 30-year-old pledge of housing for the Super Eagles squad that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Falcons, despite their dominance in African football, have also staged multiple sit-in protests during international tournaments, most notably after their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign, over unpaid entitlements.
Moving Towards Equity and Accountability
President Tinubu sought to address some of these lingering concerns, revealing that ahead of Saturday’s WAFCON final, he had approved the payment of all outstanding bonuses and match allowances, including arrears. He assured the team and the public that timely payment would become a standard policy going forward.
Nevertheless, many fans and gender equality advocates continue to highlight the persistent pay disparities between the Super Falcons and their male counterparts, the Super Eagles. Calls for equal compensation and treatment have intensified, with growing pressure on both the federal government and the NFF to institutionalize fairness in reward structures.
As Nigeria celebrates yet another continental football milestone, the attention now turns to whether the federal government will follow through on its promises and set a new precedent in the treatment of national athletes, particularly women. The Super Falcons’ victory is not just a sporting triumph, but a powerful statement about gender, excellence, and national pride.
