The Super Falcons have rejected attempts by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to pay President Bola Tinubu’s $100,000 reward in naira, insisting on receiving the funds in U.S. dollars.
The President had announced during a reception for the players that each of the 24 members of the team will receive the naira equivalent of $100,000 (₦152,974,000), a three-bedroom apartment at the Renewed Hope Estate in Abuja, and a national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
Each technical crew member will receive $50,000 (₦76.5 Million).
Sports analyst Aron Akerejola, speaking on Arise TV, explained that the payment delay was not due to negligence by the NFF, but rather the players’ refusal to accept local currency.
“The part of the story they are not telling is that these girls were given the money,” Aron said. “The NFF proposed paying their allowances in naira at the rate of ₦1,530 to a dollar. The players refused, saying, ‘We don’t live in Nigeria. What will we do with naira?’”
According to him, the NFF later transferred the funds to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for conversion into dollars, which has further delayed the process.
“It’s not the fault of the NFF. The government released the money, but the players rejected naira. That’s why it dragged on,” he added.
Team captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, earlier confirmed that the squad had yet to receive the payment, though she expressed hope it would be settled soon.
President Tinubu had announced the $100,000 reward for each player, along with national honours and houses, following the team’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph in Morocco.
