Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has defended President Bola Tinubu’s generous rewards to the Super Falcons following their 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) victory, drawing a comparison to the ₦150 million grand prize given to the winner of Big Brother Naija (BBNaija).
Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, made the comments in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, responding to public debate over whether Tinubu’s gesture was excessive or insufficient.
“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 tweeted.
Onanuga praised the president for recognizing “excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry, and the undying Nigerian spirit.”
🏅 Tinubu’s Reward Package
During a ceremony at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Tinubu hosted the victorious national team and announced significant rewards:
- National Honours: Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) for each player and technical staff
- Cash Gifts: $100,000 for each player; $50,000 for each member of the coaching crew
- Housing: Three-bedroom apartments for all players and officials in the Renewed Hope Housing Estate, Abuja
💬 Mixed Reactions on Social Media
The comparison between the Falcons’ rewards and BBNaija’s prize money ignited a flurry of reactions on X, with users divided on the appropriateness of the analogy and the nature of the rewards.
Critics questioned:
- The use of dollars instead of naira in rewarding the team
- Whether the gesture was sustainable in a struggling economy
- Why soldiers and police weren’t rewarded similarly for their national service
“Why is he gifting them in dollars? Even the richest countries don’t do that,” tweeted @Wale_Abdul.
“I’m not against the gift, but that amount is too much for a country where people are living in poverty,” said @Ezekwem_Franklin.
Others defended Tinubu, applauding him for acknowledging the team’s contribution to national pride.
“Tinubu’s gesture deserves applause. Some presidents ignore sports achievements entirely,” wrote @IAm_Emma_Eze.
“Let’s be fair, the Falcons played for Nigeria and they deserved to be honoured,” added @Official_dharmy.
📌 BBNaija vs National Recognition Debate
Many users argued that comparing a privately funded entertainment show to a national sports victory was misplaced.
“BBNaija is private money. Falcons played for the country. The comparison doesn’t work,” @Official_dharmy stated.
“Why is it so hard for the government to do the right thing without comparing it to a TV show?” asked @SirDavidBent.
Despite the controversy, Onanuga’s comments reflect the administration’s intent to elevate sports achievements and national pride through meaningful recognition.
