President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday conferred national honours, luxury housing, and hefty cash awards on Nigeria’s victorious Super Falcons, following their record-breaking win at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
Receiving the 10-time African champions at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Tinubu described the Falcons’ dramatic 3-2 comeback over host nation Morocco as “a testament to the Nigerian spirit of resilience, courage, and unyielding determination.”
The President, who was joined by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, announced the conferment of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) award on all 24 players and the 11-man technical crew. He further revealed the allocation of three-bedroom apartments at the Renewed Hope Estate, Abuja, alongside a cash reward equivalent of $100,000 to each player and $50,000 to each member of the coaching crew.
“I hereby confer on our gallant players and their coaching team the national honour of the Officer of the Order of the Niger. Additionally, each player and official will be allocated a three-bedroom apartment under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme. And, in recognition of their heroic efforts, I have directed a cash award of $100,000 to each player and $50,000 to each member of the technical crew,” President Tinubu declared, to thunderous applause from dignitaries and team members.
The President, in a lighter moment, confessed he refrained from watching the final live to avoid “high blood pressure,” only later celebrating Nigeria’s remarkable rally from a two-goal halftime deficit to secure the continental title.
In a show of national solidarity, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), represented by its Chairman and Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, announced a donation of ₦10 million to each team member, further boosting the financial rewards for the champions.
The Super Falcons’ victory extends their dominance on the African stage, securing their 10th WAFCON title after previous wins in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2024. The latest triumph, powered by captain and tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP) Rasheedat Ajibade, saw Nigeria overcome fierce competition to reaffirm their status as the continent’s undisputed queens of football.
Their arrival at the Presidential Villa on Monday afternoon was met with jubilation, as the team was received by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, before proceeding to the forecourt of Aso Rock, where they were warmly welcomed by the First Family and top government officials.
In a post-match video call, President Tinubu personally congratulated Ajibade, lauding her leadership and composure in steering the team to victory. “You have once again made Nigeria proud. Your dedication inspires millions of young girls across the continent to dream big and aim higher,” he told her.
The honours bestowed on the Super Falcons underscore the administration’s commitment to promoting women in sports and elevating Nigeria’s global standing through excellence in athletics. Analysts say the gesture reflects a broader attempt by the Tinubu administration to invest in national morale while promoting gender equity and youth empowerment.
As the celebrations continue, the Falcons’ victory is already being described by sports pundits as one of the most remarkable comebacks in WAFCON history, a triumph likely to inspire the next generation of Nigerian athletes.
