$100k Each, Houses & National Honours — Tinubu In Unprecedented Reward Of Super Falcons

President Bola Tinubu has conferred national honours on the Super Falcons and rewarded them with cash prizes, houses, and words of high praise following their record-extending triumph at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

At a reception held at the Presidential Villa on Sunday, Tinubu honoured all 24 players and the 11-member technical crew with the title of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

In addition to the national honours, the President announced the allocation of a three-bedroom apartment to each player and crew member under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.

He also approved a cash reward of the naira equivalent of $100,000 for each player and $50,000 for each member of the technical team.

“You have inspired millions, especially young girls who now see proof that their dreams are valid and achievable,” Tinubu said. And added, “You have inspired me too. And it’s great for a nation to have assets that are the hope of today, tomorrow, and the day after.”

The President said he had been emotionally invested in the final match and initially hesitant to watch due to nerves. “Honestly, I didn’t want to watch the match. I didn’t want to have high blood pressure,” he said jokingly. “But when it was 2-0, I got very offended and restless. Still, after that penalty, my strength was lifted — and I believe that of the nation was lifted too.”

He added that the team nearly disrupted his evening routine as the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, “was in the kitchen, nearly abandoning my dinner” due to the match.

Beyond the humour, Tinubu underscored the significance of the team’s feat, describing it as a triumph of courage, discipline, and consistency. He pledged his administration’s continued investment in women’s football and youth development.

“Your story is a story of hope. And in this era of Renewed Hope, we celebrate you not just as champions of Africa, but as champions of the Nigerian dream,” he said.

In an additional gesture, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, announced a ₦10 million donation to each player and technical team member on behalf of the 36 state governors.

The First Lady praised the team as “shining examples of courage and excellence,” recalling a conversation with the President earlier in the day in which she predicted the team’s eventual victory on the global stage. “I told Mr President this morning that you are going on to win the World Cup, and he thought I was too ambitious,” she said. “But Ajibade, the team captain, just seconded that, and that is possible.”

Rasheedat Ajibade, the team captain, dedicated the victory to every Nigerian girl with a dream.

“This victory is not just a trophy. It is a testament to the unyielding spirit of Nigeria,” she said. “It is a celebration of every young girl in our villages, towns, and cities who dares to dream… This 10th title is for you, Mr. President, for Nigerians, for Super Falcons, and for every young child who believes and dreams to be on this stage someday.”

She called for sustained support to ensure the team’s continued progress on the international stage.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, described the win as “a symbol of national unity, inspiration, and the triumph of belief, courage, and excellence,” crediting the Tinubu administration for prioritising sports development and women’s empowerment.

“This win goes beyond sports. In those 90 minutes, Nigerians everywhere from the north, south, east, and west held their breath, prayed together, cheered the team, and finally celebrated together. That is the power of sports, and indeed the power of our women in sports,” he said.

The Super Falcons’ 2024 victory marks their 10th continental title and continues to cement Nigeria’s dominance in women’s football on the African stage.