Tinubu’s Dollar Reward to Super Falcons: A Slap to Naira, Insult to Retired Heroes

There are two major problems with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reward to the Super Falcons for their recent victory.

While the president’s monetary gesture may appear generous, it is terribly ill-timed.

First, the president devalued the naira by openly placing the dollar above our own currency. What message does it send when the country’s leader chooses to gift players in dollars instead of the naira equivalent? It clearly suggests—even from the very top—that the naira no longer holds value. If the president himself doesn’t trust or promote his currency, why should anyone else?

Second, the gesture reveals a deep level of insensitivity—especially when retired police officers are protesting for their unpaid pensions and crying out over unbearable hardship.

At a time when those who served and protected this nation are being neglected, the president chooses to gift each football player $100,000—about N150 million—and each member of the technical crew $50,000, roughly N75 million. As if that wasn’t enough, houses were also given out.

Let’s be honest: many soldiers and police officers can’t afford basic necessities after risking their lives for this country. Where are the grand gestures for them? Where are the billions when it comes to their welfare?

This is exactly why many people are losing hope in this nation. When a team wins a competition, they should be celebrated—but must we break the bank to do so? Shouldn’t their rewards be tied to what they won—not to state funds?

This kind of spending, in the face of widespread suffering, is not generosity—it’s wastefulness. And it is shameful that a government unable to meet basic obligations to its security personnel finds billions to shower on players. Priorities are clearly misplaced.