Presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, has come to President Bola Tinubu’s defense following the backlash over the $100,000 cash reward given to each Super Falcons player after their historic WAFCON 2024 victory.
While some Nigerians criticized the gesture as an extravagant move amidst unresolved national issues like ASUU strikes and healthcare worker protests, Onanuga fired back with a bold comparison.
He pointed out that Big Brother Naija contestants compete for similar cash prizes, yet no one complains. According to him, what Tinubu did was simply what any grateful nation should do—honor its champions.
“When you remember that Multichoice, the organizer of the BBNaija reality show is offering the winner N150 million grand prize, you wonder why some Nigerians are unappreciative of President Tinubu’s rewards to the Super Falcons,” Onanuga wrote
Each of the 24 players received the naira equivalent of $100,000 (over ₦153 million), while each technical crew member got $50,000 (₦75.6 million). The total package reportedly cost over ₦4.5 billion. In addition, the President awarded the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) honor and gifted three-bedroom apartments to all players and officials.
