Super Falcons’ N150m reward sparks uproar, divides Nigerians across social media

Femi Fabunmi

The decision by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reward each member of Nigeria’s Women’s National Football Team, the Super Falcons, with N150 million, a three-bedroom apartment in Renewed Hope Estate, Abuja, and a national honor (Officer of the Order of the Niger – OON) has triggered widespread reactions across the country, particularly on social media, PM News has gathered.

The announcement, made during the team’s presentation of the WAFCON trophy to the president upon their return to Abuja, was initially met with excitement.

However, that quickly gave way to criticism, with many Nigerians questioning the size and timing of the presidential largesse amid widespread economic hardship.

Social media users on platform X (formerly Twitter) expressed their views on the development, with many describing the rewards as excessive.

@mrbright_OU wrote: “N150,000,000 to each player in a country where the majority is extremely poor? This is ridiculous and a huge waste. We’re not saying don’t reward them, but be reasonable.”

@Neville said: “That’s about about 152 million per player yet doctors in federal hospitals are now on strike with nurses joining them soon. Families are being told to remove their sick patients from fed hospitals yet d prexy is gifting out such humongous amount to few players! Misplaced.”

@real_OFN added: “Walahi I agree with this.”

@AowwayeQudus posted: “Think of what the 150m will do for the Nigerian based players and the crew, I think the amount is ok.”

@Menard_ft noted: “Some people are moving as expected. The 150m is for each player against the announcement that it was meant for all the players.”

@SG_Hunrayh reacted emotionally: “nikam Allah ya isana. Hunger, unemployment, insecurity is ravaging Nigeria and see where 5Billion naira is going to 150M for each player is going to over 20 players more than 20 ooooo 150million for each player is just too much.”

@Chinwe_Onwordi wrote: “150m per player is quite much, I was expecting 30-50m each player, atleast share the prize money won btw the players, why this spontaneous, frivolous spending, 2.5m dollars, politically charged spending, wastefulness if u ask me, money that we are borrowing.”

@IAM_Legend said: “You mean each player gets nothing less than N160m? As much as I am happy with the winning, squandering N160m on each player tells about the misplaced priority in this government.”

@gaylezoue added: “Paying football player 150 m naira. Can’t pay striking nurses, can’t pay doctors, can’t refurbish govt hospital.”

While some voices supported the president’s gesture as a way to encourage sports and recognize women’s achievements, the broader public reaction has largely focused on the state of the economy, the ongoing industrial action by healthcare workers, and the government’s spending priorities.

Many Nigerians continue to express concern over what the whopping sum of money being given to the players and management of the super Falcons.