Tinubu’s Rewards to Super Falcons Spark Debate as Aide Compares Them to BBNaija Prize

President Bola Tinubu’s decision to honour the victorious Super Falcons with national titles, cash gifts, and apartments has drawn strong reactions, especially after his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, compared the rewards to the ₦150 million prize awarded to Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) winners. Onanuga took to his official X account to respond to Nigerians who criticised the gifts, which include $100,000 per player, $50,000 for technical staff, and a three-bedroom apartment for each team member.

Onanuga questioned why Nigerians would criticise the President’s gesture, especially when a private reality TV show offers such a huge prize for entertainment. He argued that Tinubu’s reward promotes excellence, hard work, and national pride through sports. His remarks followed the official reception of the Falcons at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where Tinubu conferred them with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

The event, intended as a celebration of the Falcons’ victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, has now turned into a subject of national debate. Many Nigerians are voicing concerns over the currency of the rewards, questioning why the President chose to offer the gifts in U.S. dollars instead of in naira. They argue that such decisions send the wrong message about the strength of the national currency.

One user, @Wale_Abdul, criticised the use of dollars, asking, “Why is he gifting them in dollars? Even the richest countries wouldn’t do that.” Another, @Bolanle_Juwon, said, “Why dollars and not naira? The government should stop promoting another country’s currency.” These concerns reflect broader frustrations with the economy and how national leaders handle fiscal symbolism.

Another user, @Daroking, brought up the state of other underappreciated national workers like soldiers and police officers, questioning if the reward was politically motivated. He commented, “As much as I’m happy for them, everything is politics.” Some critics also described the gesture as excessive for a country battling poverty, unemployment, and insecurity.

Why are Nigerians reacting so strongly to the comparison with BBNaija?
Many believe comparing state-sponsored sports achievements to private entertainment rewards is flawed. User @Official_dharmy wrote, “BBNaija is private money. Falcons played for the country. It’s not the same.” Others, like @SirDavidBent, felt the government should be able to make good decisions without comparing them to reality TV shows.

However, not all the reactions were negative. Some users defended Tinubu’s gesture, calling it well-deserved recognition for the team’s achievement. @Ghali_Ismael expressed joy, saying he was very impressed by the reward. Similarly, @IAm_Emma_Eze tweeted, “Let’s be fair, Tinubu’s gesture to the Super Falcons deserves applause. Some presidents ignore sports achievements entirely.”

The online debate continues, with many users agreeing that both BBNaija and the Super Falcons deserve rewards, but cautioning against using one to justify the other. As @NenyeVibes put it, “BBNaija gets private funding. Falcons represent national pride. Both deserve rewards, but one shouldn’t be used to justify the other.”

Overall, while Tinubu’s reward was intended to honour Nigeria’s female football champions, the conversation it sparked has opened up broader questions about national priorities, fairness, and the value placed on athletes versus entertainers.