By Peace Johnson
When the final whistle blew and the Bayelsa Queens hoisted the 2024/25 NWFL Premiership trophy, it was more than a football victory — it was a cultural shift, a statement, and a promise kept.
On Tuesday, the champions of Nigeria's premier women’s football league became overnight millionaires as Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State unveiled a historic ₦4 million reward for each of the 26 registered players.
The gesture didn’t stop there from coaches to board members, backroom staff, and even the supporters club, Governor Diri spread the joy of victory in cash and recognition.
“This is not just about rewarding excellence. It's about showing our girls that their sweat, strength, and skill matter,” said the governor, his voice laced with pride and passion.
According to the governor, ₦4M each to the 26 players who played active roles,₦1M each to non-playing registered players, ₦4M to the Head Coach, ₦3M to the Board Chairman, ₦2M each to Assistant Coaches, ₦1.5M each to Backroom Staff, ₦1M each to Board Members, ₦3M to the Supporters Club and ₦2M extra from Premium Trust Bank to the team.
It’s the kind of payout that men's footballers often dream of - but in Nigeria’s women’s league, it is a rare and heartwarming anomaly.
This act of generosity could mark a new chapter in the story of Nigerian women’s football. For decades, female players have toiled in the shadows of male-dominated recognition and rewards.
But Bayelsa, a state known for birthing champions, is now scripting a new narrative — one of parity, respect, and pride.
Analysts and sports enthusiasts are calling it a masterstroke in morale-building and an investment in female sporting legacy.
It also sends a strong signal to sponsors, football federations, and other state governments: women’s sports is not charity — it’s championship material.
“These queens didn't just win a league, they shattered the glass ceiling of reward culture,” said a veteran sports journalist, reacting to the announcement.
Joy Okon, a midfielder, couldn’t hide her emotion: “We gave our all for the badge. This reward proves we are seen. It’s not just money — it’s validation.”
Coach Charity Okpara added: “This is a motivation not just for us, but for every girl kicking a ball in silence. Now, they know it’s worth it.”
Already, whispers are emerging from other states will other governors follow suit? Will the Nigeria Football Federation revise its reward template for women? The Diri gesture has stirred the pot.
As the Queens bask in their deserved glory, Nigeria watches. Perhaps a new playbook is being written where talent meets reward, and where female footballers are no longer forgotten after the final whistle.
Bayelsa Queens didn’t just win a title. They won hearts. And now, with millions in their accounts and history at their feet, they’ve raised the bar not just for football, but for fairness.
The question now is: who’s next to answer the call?
