Players of Nigeria’s Super Falcons have begun receiving the $100,000 reward promised by President Bola Tinubu following their triumph at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The development comes 16 months after the President announced the financial incentive in recognition of the team’s record-extending 10th continental title.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) confirmed the commencement of payments in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.
The statement, signed by Kola Daniel, Special Assistant on Media to the commission’s Director-General, indicated that the players had started receiving their individual rewards.
Tinubu initially announced the $100,000 payment for each player during a presidential reception held at the State House, Abuja, on July 28, 2025.
The reception followed Nigeria’s dramatic 3-2 victory over hosts Morocco in the WAFCON final two days earlier.
The Super Falcons overturned a two-goal deficit to secure the championship, producing one of the tournament’s most memorable comebacks.
Their victory extended Nigeria’s record as Africa’s most successful women’s national football team, with 10 continental titles.
Despite the celebrations that followed the triumph, the players had to wait more than a year before the promised financial rewards began arriving.
Reacting to the development, Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for honouring his commitment.
Ajibade described the payment as an acknowledgement of the team’s achievement and its contribution to the development of Nigerian sports.
The National Sports Commission also commended the President, stating that fulfilling the pledge demonstrated the administration’s recognition of sporting excellence.
The commission, led by Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director-General Bukola Olopade, maintained that financial incentives could encourage athletes to deliver stronger performances in international competitions.
According to the NSC, the government’s commitment to sports development extends beyond monetary rewards to improvements in athletes’ welfare and opportunities for international exposure.
It also highlighted efforts to attract major sporting competitions to Nigeria as part of the administration’s broader sports development agenda.
The payment to the Super Falcons follows a similar reward pledge made to Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, after their victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket championship.
Both teams recorded significant continental achievements, strengthening Nigeria’s standing in African women’s sports.
For the Super Falcons, the latest development brings progress towards settling the financial commitment made following their historic victory in Morocco.
The NSC’s announcement confirms that disbursements have commenced, although it does not specify whether every eligible player has received the full amount.
The payments mark the fulfilment of a long-awaited commitment intended to reward the players for bringing another continental football title to Nigeria.
Ezeana Emmanuel
