Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday defended the reward package announced by President Bola Tinubu for the Super Falcons following their triumph at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
While hosting them at the Presidential Villa, on Monday, the president announced a reward of $100,000 for each player, while each coach and support staff member will get $50,000.
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In addition, President Tinubu conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 players and 11 members of the technical crew.
He also said each member of the team will be given a three-bedroom apartment under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.
The announcement has since ignited debate online, with Nigerians expressing divergent views over the scale of the government’s gesture and Onanuga’s comparison to the BBNaija prize.
In a post on his X handle, Onanuga expressed surprise at the backlash from some Nigerians, questioning the criticism over the President’s gesture.
He drew a comparison with the BBNaija reality show, noting that its winner is awarded a N150 million grand prize.
“When you remember that Multichoice, the organizer of the BBNaija reality show, is offering the winner N150 million grand prize, you wonder why some Nigerians are unappreciative of President Tinubu’s rewards to the Super Falcons,” he wrote.
“President Tinubu has rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry, and the undying Nigerian spirit.”
Below are some of the comments which triggered Onanuga’s response:
“Why is he gifting them in dollars? The richest countries in the world won’t ever make such gifting to athletes who collect salaries,” posted @Wale_Abdul.
“Why dollars and not the equivalent in naira?” added @Bolanle_Juwon. “The Nigerian government should, as a matter of urgency, do away with the line of promoting another nation’s currency.”
Others criticised the perceived disconnect between the gesture and the country’s economic realities.
“I’m not against the gift,” wrote @Ezekwem_Franklin, “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 commenters defended the administration’s decision.
“To say the least, I am very impressed with the way Mr. President rewarded the team,” said @Ghali_Ismael. “Congratulations once again.”
“The comparison to BBNaija was misplaced,” @Official_dharmy argued. “BBNaija is private money. Falcons played for the country. It’s not the same.”
@NenyeVibes echoed this sentiment: “BBNaija gets private funding. Falcons represent national pride. Both deserve rewards, but one shouldn’t be used to justify the other.”(Daily trust)
