Popular social commentator Daniel Regha has sparked fresh debate over President Bola Tinubu’s decision to reward Super Falcons players with $100,000 each and a three-bedroom flat, plus $50,000 for the technical crew, following their historic Women’s AFCON victory in Morocco.
While acknowledging the team’s stellar performance in representing Nigeria, Regha raised concerns about the source and necessity of the lavish gifts.
In a post shared on social media, he questioned the rationale behind giving such hefty rewards in a country battling widespread poverty and economic hardship.
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“Super Falcons did a good job representing Nigeria,” Regha wrote, “but why is Tinubu’s government gifting the players $100k each plus a three-bedroom flat? After all, the team is already entitled to 30 percent of the prize money. Where’s the extra money coming from—taxpayers or borrowed funds?”
His comments have sparked debates online on the rightness of the lavish gifts and around government spending priorities, particularly at a time when civil servants, teachers, police, and the soldiers fighting insecurity are grappling with unpaid salaries and millions of Nigerians struggle to meet basic needs.
“For a country that’s crippling with poverty, how does this even sit well with anyone?” Regha continued. “Sorry, but this is a misuse of public funds.”
Although many Nigerians have praised the Falcons’ victory and welcomed government recognition of their efforts, others share Regha’s concerns about the fairness of such horrendous financial gestures in a struggling economy.
While many others have condemned his opinion, saying the women deserve it for bringing honor to the nation.
The Super Falcons team and crew members were awarded an approximate cash sum of $3 million, which is about N5 billion in Naira equivalent. This is just the cash prize.
Below are some reactions on social media:
Uzoigwe Maryann Chizurum said on Facebook;
“That amount for each player is too cumbersome.
So that kind of money is sitting around in this country and public school teachers aren’t been paid well, pensioners are not being paid, no good standard public hospitals, Police officers are lamenting of not being paid on time, the soldiers in the bush are not also lamenting of not being fed well while protecting the country.
Nigerians should stop letting their emotions cloud their judgement.”
Archibong Bassey wrote;
“This is a good suggestions..
We are in an era where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer no one cares..
The price in that cup should’ve been something they benefit for their triumphant victory and even if they should be celebrated and honoured by the president not that hugh amount where majority are starving and many jobless..
This falcons have pave ways for themselves to the peak already..”
Omeje Anthony remarked;
“I was rooting for Morocco to win,cause I knew this would happen.”
Tuchè Steven said;
“For once, let the govt mismanage public funds on the people.”
Nuella Dominion wrote
“Hmm…I get you bro. They have been mis using it on themselves before, at least make we see our fellow Nigerians wey benefit from the mis use monies.”
Abosede Iyiola Iyiola commented;
“I said this same thing yesterday.
People were arguing out of emotion and love for the Super Falcons.
But sincerely, #180m for each player is mismanagement of funds.”
