Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga has defended the federal government’s lavish rewards to the Super Falcons following their WAFCON victory, urging Nigerians to view it as a rightful celebration of excellence and national pride.
In a statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, Onanuga tackled critics who questioned the appropriateness of the gesture. He drew a sharp comparison to the ₦150 million prize given to the winner of the privately funded reality show, Big Brother Naija (BBNaija).
“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,” he wrote.
“President Tinubu has rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry, and the undying Nigerian spirit.”
The statement came shortly after President Bola Tinubu hosted the victorious Super Falcons at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.During the reception, Tinubu conferred the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) national honour on each player and coach. He also announced:
$100,000 cash for each player
$50,000 cash for each coach
A three-bedroom apartment in the Renewed Hope Housing Estate, Abuja for all team membersOnanuga’s remarks have since stirred widespread debate online, with many Nigerians weighing in on whether the government’s use of public funds for sports rewards should be equated with private-sector entertainment incentives.
