₦160 Million for the Super Falcons: Deserved Honour or Misplaced Priority?

President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to honour Nigeria’s Super Falcons with ₦160 million, national awards, and brand-new three-bedroom homes has been met with a wave of national pride and quiet murmurs of discomfort. 

The women’s national team had just pulled off a stunning comeback victory over Morocco in the 2025 WAFCON final, reclaiming the trophy for a record 10th time. Their win was emotional, electrifying, and well-earned. 

So, why are some people raising eyebrows at the reward? That question gets to the heart of an ongoing debate about sports funding in Nigeria.

No one doubts their victory was sweet

Let’s be clear: the Super Falcons are one of the most successful women’s football teams on the continent. 

Their record is unmatched in Africa, and they’ve consistently made Nigeria proud often without the fanfare or funding given to their male counterparts. The team’s resilience, especially in the dramatic 3-2 win against host nation Morocco, captured national attention.

President Tinubu’s praise for their courage and determination echoed the public sentiment. But with Nigeria’s wider sports scene still struggling with inadequate facilities, unpaid allowances, and poor preparation for international events, the lavish reward has stirred up questions.

What about the Olympics?

At the same time the Falcons were being honoured, Nigerian athletes were struggling quietly at the several Olympic Games year by year included the just concluded one. 

Reports emerged of athletes crowdfunding their way to France, training with outdated equipment, and sleeping in less-than-ideal accommodations. 

Nigeria’s performance at the Games was modest at best and many argue it wasn’t for lack of talent, but lack of support.

A former athlete commented anonymously on social media, “₦150 million could have built two top-level training facilities for athletes preparing for the Olympics. We have swimmers training in hotel pools. Where’s the equity?”

Nigeria couldn’t even host WAFCON

Ironically, the same tournament that brought glory also reminded the world of Nigeria’s missed opportunities. Despite being a footballing powerhouse, Nigeria did not host the 2025 WAFCON. 

The hosting rights went to Morocco, a nation that has invested heavily in sports infrastructure over the past decade.

Why couldn’t Nigeria host? According to analysts, it boiled down to poor planning, decaying stadiums, and lack of political will. Even when the bid was discussed in 2023, the conversation quickly faded, with no follow-through. One sports administrator pointed out that “a fraction of the Falcons’ reward could’ve gone into renovating one or two major stadiums.”

It is a question of balance

Is it wrong to reward athletes who’ve brought honour to the country? Absolutely not. Recognition is essential, especially for a team like the Falcons, who have long operated in the shadows of more celebrated (and better-funded) men’s teams. But some wonder if these gestures are more political than strategic.

Couldn’t the government have made a long-term investment, say, in women’s football academies, grassroots tournaments, or sports science programs instead of a one-time cash reward? 

Could that ₦150 million have made a bigger impact across multiple sports, especially for athletes whose disciplines are starved of attention?

What is going on?

Others argue that the gesture from Tinubu might not just be about football. It could be seen as a broader statement, a show of goodwill at a time when the country is grappling with economic strain, rising inflation, and political tension. 

Giving the Falcons national honours and homes sends a message of celebration and hope. But should that message come at the expense of sustainable sports development?

In the end, the debate remains open. Should we applaud the generosity, or question the priorities? Should cash rewards come before investing in facilities, coaching, and athlete welfare?

And when next we underperform at the Olympics, will we remember this moment and wonder if the money could have been used differently?

One thing is certain, the Super Falcons deserve our applause. But whether Nigeria’s sports future was helped or hindered by this reward is a conversation worth having.