The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has hit back at critics who questioned the presidential reward package granted to the Super Falcons following their triumph at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, Onanuga expressed disbelief at the backlash from some Nigerians over the gesture by President Bola Tinubu. He compared the situation to the BBNaija reality TV show, where the winner receives a ₦150 million prize, suggesting that such critics should reconsider their stance.
“When you remember that Multichoice, the organizer 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.
He further defended the President’s action, emphasizing that the gesture recognized the players’ hard work and contribution to national pride.
“President Tinubu has rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry, and the undying Nigerian spirit,” he stated.
According to DAILY POST, President Tinubu approved a cash reward of $100,000 for each player and $50,000 for each coach and support staff member.
In addition, the President conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 players and 11 members of the technical crew.
Each member of the victorious team is also set to receive a three-bedroom apartment under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.
