President Bola Tinubu’s generous gift of N150 million to each Super Falcons player following their historic 10th WAFCON title has sparked a wave of public backlash, especially from retired military and police personnel who say they have been neglected despite years of sacrifice.
While some Nigerians celebrated the reward and national honours conferred on the players and coaching staff, many others, particularly veterans under the Contributory Pension Scheme, described the gesture as unfair and misplaced, especially at a time when they struggle to survive on inadequate pensions.
The Super Falcons, who came from behind to defeat South Africa 3–2 in a dramatic final last Saturday, were hosted at the Presidential Villa in Abuja where each player received the Officer of the Order of the Niger award, a $100,000 cash gift (equivalent to N150 million), and a promise of a three-bedroom flat in the Renewed Hope Housing Estate.
But the fanfare has drawn sharp criticism from ex-service members, who believe their sacrifices for the country have been ignored. They argue that rewarding sports stars lavishly while ignoring those who risked their lives on the battlefield reflects the government’s skewed priorities.
Lukmon Aderibigbe, a retired corporal who left the Army in 2024, questioned why footballers receive more for playing 90 minutes than soldiers who dedicated decades of service.
“I served 15 years and got less than N3 million in gratuity. Meanwhile, a player earns N150 million in one day. Is that justice?” he asked.
Aderibigbe also shared the tragic story of a wounded colleague who was denied proper medical care and later died in an ambush due to his injuries. “The government refused to cover his treatment. He died because he couldn’t run from Boko Haram with an unhealed leg,” he said.
Similarly, Adamu Bashar, another retired soldier, described the gift to the footballers as a “waste of public funds” and urged the government to extend such generosity to veterans. “We are not even asking for N150 million. Let the government give us N20 million, and see if the military won’t attract committed young people again,” he said.
Another retired lance corporal, Olumayowa Akogun-Abudu, who was injured by a suicide bomber in 2017, called the reward “wasteful and insulting.”
“I was paid just over N2 million after 13 years of service. That’s all I was worth? I sacrificed my health and received nothing in return,” he said, noting that he had to pay for his own treatment while recuperating.
In Yobe State, retired corporal Abdullahi Idris, who left the military in 2003 after an accident, said he receives a monthly pension of just N72,900 and still faces unpaid entitlements. He accused the government of treating veterans like “third-class citizens.”
He said, “We are no longer recognised. Some of us live with lifelong disabilities, yet no medical support, no special care. That N150 million could have changed the lives of hundreds of veterans.”
Retired captain Yahaya Umar, also from Yobe, called for an urgent review of military pensions and benefits to reflect current economic realities. He added that veterans’ children deserve support through scholarships and job opportunities.
Police retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme echoed similar frustrations. Mannir Lawal, one of their leaders, said the reward to the Super Falcons was a slap in the face to ex-officers who are dying in silence.
“We have been crying out for help, only to see millions given away to footballers. Where is the justice?” Lawal asked. “We are tired of the CPS. Many have died waiting for pension. Others are starving.”
Another ex-police officer, Buba Danjuma, described the government’s priorities as misplaced. “We watched on TV as our girls collected huge sums. Meanwhile, those of us who fought for Nigeria sleep hungry.”
He also slammed the National Health Insurance Scheme, saying it fails retirees when they need it most. “They collected our money while we were in service. Now, we are told there are no drugs,” he lamented.
Despite the backlash, the presidency insists the reward was appropriate. Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, defended the decision, saying most Nigerians were proud of the players’ achievements and welcomed the gesture.
He said, “Let’s not confuse issues. The Falcons earned their reward. The president acted in the spirit of national pride. This was their 10th title, and the comeback win was historic. It deserved to be celebrated.”
Onanuga noted that this was the first time the team had been so honoured by a sitting president and said it was unfair to compare the gift to unresolved issues affecting retired personnel.
Still, for many veterans and police retirees, the celebration has been overshadowed by the pain of neglect, raising difficult questions about how Nigeria treats its heroes on the field and on the frontlines.
