Nigerians have expressed mixed reactions after President Bola Tinubu rewarded the Super Falcons with substantial dollar payments following their victory at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
According to reports, the President awarded $100,000 to each of the 24 players and $500,000 to the technical team after their triumphant campaign, which culminated in a comeback victory against the Moroccan Atlas Lionesses on Saturday.
The announcement came after Tinubu and First Lady Remi Tinubu received the team and their trophy at a ceremony on Monday, where national honors were also conferred on the players.
However, the decision to reward the team in foreign currency has sparked criticism on social media, with many questioning the timing amid ongoing efforts to stabilize the naira.
One critic, Oke O. Matarazi, wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "You're telling us we're trying to stabilise the naira, yet you dash out $100,000 to footballers and $50,000 to technical staff in foreign currency? Meanwhile, hardworking citizens and pensioners are choking under inflation, and manufacturers can't access forex to import raw materials."
Matarazi further questioned the symbolism of the gesture, adding, "What message are we sending? That celebrity applause is more valuable than economic discipline? Rewarding excellence is good. But leadership is also about symbolism, and this dollar generosity screams, 'We don't trust the naira either.'"
Another X user, Ifeanyi Okafor, simply asked, "Why didn't he pay them in Naira?"
Despite the criticism, some Nigerians have praised the President's gesture. Femi Yekinni commended the rewards, describing them as "well-merited" and acknowledging that the team "made us all proud."
As of Monday, the naira was trading at N1,534.21 per dollar, according to Central Bank of Nigeria data, highlighting the ongoing currency challenges that formed the backdrop to this controversy.
The Super Falcons' victory marks another significant achievement for Nigerian women's football on the continental stage, though the celebration has been somewhat overshadowed by the debate over the form of their reward.
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