By Our Sports Desk
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has honoured Nigeria’s Super Falcons with national awards, cash gifts, and homes following their historic triumph at the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
At a celebratory reception held at the Presidential Villa on Monday, the President conferred the title of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 players and 11 members of the technical crew, applauding their passion, discipline, and patriotic spirit.
In a major boost to the team’s morale and legacy, President Tinubu also announced: ₦100 million (equivalent of $100,000) for each player, ₦50 million (equivalent of $50,000) for each technical crew member and a 3-bedroom house for each member of the team under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.
"You have inspired a new generation of girls and lifted the spirit of the entire nation," Tinubu said. "This is more than football; this is about hope, unity, and national pride."
Recalling the tense moments of the WAFCON final, the President admitted he almost avoided watching the match due to anxiety. “When it was 2-0, I became very restless,” he confessed. “But you turned it around and gave us joy across the country.”
The President also noted how the team united Nigerians, regardless of background or political leaning. “In those 90 minutes, we were one people, cheering and believing,” he said.
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, praised the Super Falcons as national role models and symbols of excellence, resilience, and teamwork. She expressed optimism that the team will go on to become world champions, a sentiment echoed by team captain Rasheedat Ajibade.
Ajibade, visibly emotional, thanked the President for the honour, saying the victory was not just a title win but a signal to millions of Nigerian girls that greatness is within reach. “This is a celebration of every girl in our villages, towns, and cities who dares to dream,” she said.
On behalf of the 36 state governors, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), announced a ₦10 million donation to each player and crew member.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, hailed the gesture as a defining moment for Nigerian sports and lauded the Tinubu administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment through sports.
“This triumph is a national symbol of belief, unity, and excellence,” Dikko said. “It proves that sports remains a major tool for national healing and economic development.”
The 2024 WAFCON win marks the Super Falcons’ 10th continental title, further cementing Nigeria’s status as Africa’s undisputed women’s football powerhouse.
With these unprecedented rewards and renewed support, the Falcons now set their sights on the global stage, inspired and emboldened to take on the world.
