Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Advisor on Information and Strategy, defended the Super Falcons’ prize package on Tuesday after they won the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
In a post on his X handle, Onanuga said he was surprised that some Nigerians were criticising the presidential rewards and asked why the gesture was being viewed negatively.
He made a parallel to the reality program BBNaija, pointing out that the winner of that show gets a grand prize of N150 million.
“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. “President Tinubu has rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry, and the undying Nigerian spirit.”
According to The Intercept, President Bola Tinubu promised a $100,000 cash incentive for each player and a $50,000 award for each coach and support staff member.
Additionally, he awarded all 24 players and 11 members of the technical crew the national distinction of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
The Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Scheme would also provide each team member with a three-bedroom flat.
