Tinubu’s $100K Reward for Super Falcons Justified – Presidency Compares with BBNaija’s ₦150M Prize

Presidency Backs Tinubu’s $100,000 Reward to Super Falcons, Citing BBNaija’s N150 Million Prize

In a recent defense of President Bola Tinubu’s cash rewards to the Super Falcons, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, expressed dissatisfaction over what he described as “needless criticism” from certain Nigerians.

Onanuga, speaking through a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, responded to the backlash that followed Tinubu’s $100,000 cash prize to each Super Falcons player, arguing that the recognition given to the athletes was both justified and necessary.

According to Onanuga, it was surprising that some Nigerians chose to criticize the president for appreciating a team that had shown incredible dedication and performance during the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), hosted in Morocco.

He referenced the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality TV show as a point of comparison, highlighting that the winner of the show receives a grand cash prize of ₦150 million, courtesy of Multichoice, the show’s organizers.

“When you consider that Multichoice, the organizer of BBNaija, awards the winner a ₦150 million grand prize, it becomes puzzling why President Tinubu’s generous rewards to the Super Falcons are being criticized,” Onanuga stated in his X post. “President Tinubu is honoring dedication, sports brilliance, hard work, and the resilient Nigerian identity.”

As reported by LMSINT MEDIA, the presidential reward includes a $100,000 cash gift for each player, while coaches and supporting staff members will receive $50,000 each.

In addition to the monetary rewards, President Tinubu awarded national honors to all 24 Super Falcons players and the 11 members of the technical crew. Each recipient was conferred the prestigious title of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), a recognition reserved for exceptional contributions to the nation.

The generous rewards do not end there. In line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Scheme, every team member—including both players and staff—will receive a fully furnished three-bedroom apartment.

This move by President Tinubu, according to many observers, is seen as a long-overdue appreciation for female athletes in Nigeria, who often get less attention and reward compared to their male counterparts, despite consistent international performances.

The comparison to BBNaija’s ₦150M prize also underlines a broader national conversation on the value placed on sports, entertainment, and merit-based national representation. Critics have often highlighted the stark disparity between rewards given to entertainment personalities and those representing the country on global sports platforms.

Ultimately, Onanuga’s defense reflects the administration’s broader aim of celebrating excellence and promoting national unity through recognition of talent, hard work, and patriotism.