Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has criticized the Nigerian government’s reward system following President Bola Tinubu’s ₦150 million gift to each player of the Super Falcons, describing it as “brutally unfair” to long-serving officers of the Nigeria Police Force.
Sowore made his remarks in response to President Tinubu’s recent announcement honoring the Super Falcons after their 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) victory in Morocco.
The team secured their 10th WAFCON title with a dramatic 3-2 comeback against Morocco in Rabat.
During a reception held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu conferred the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) award on all 24 players and 11 coaching staff.
In addition to national honors, each player received $100,000 (₦150 million) and a three-bedroom apartment under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme, while coaching staff received $50,000 (₦75 million) each.
“You have inspired millions, especially young girls, who now see proof that their dreams are valid and achievable,” Tinubu said.
“You have inspired me, too. And it’s great for a nation to have assets that are the hope of today, tomorrow, and the day after. You represent that hope. You ignited that hope. And we will continue to encourage you, the next generation, and other generations after you.”
However, Sowore expressed outrage over what he sees as stark inequality in how different groups are treated in Nigeria.
“Life is brutally unfair to Nigeria Police Force officers!” Sowore tweeted. “Super Falcons won WAFCON, trained for 1 year, played for 1 month, were rewarded with $100,000 (N150 million) each and houses!”
“Police officers protected them for decades, worked 35 years, retired with $1,500 (₦2 million as gratuity), no houses, no medicals, and a little pension!
“The President or the Governor who handed the awards? $1 BILLION in gratuity, a lifetime pension, homes everywhere, full medicals!”
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga defended the rewards, arguing they were well deserved and aligned with global trends in rewarding excellence.
“When you remember that Multichoice, the organiser of the BBNaija reality show, is offering the winner ₦150 million grand prize, you wonder why some Nigerians are unappreciative of President Tinubu’s rewards to the Super Falcons,” Onanuga posted on social media.
“President Tinubu has rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry and the undying Nigerian spirit.”
Sowore’s criticism comes on the heels of recent protests by retired police officers across Abuja, Edo, and other states, demanding removal from the Contributory Pension Scheme, which they say has left many of them in dire poverty.
In Abuja, retirees shut down the main gate of the Force Headquarters and later marched to the National Assembly, holding placards and accusing the scheme of corruption and failure.
One retired officer told journalists: “I am speaking from the bottom of my heart, sir. Virtually, we have nothing at home. A retired CSP cannot even send his children to school. Our condition has deteriorated beyond repair.
Even our wives and children no longer respect us. We are becoming useless to society. Please forgive us if we’ve offended anyone. We are just pushing because we have been pushed to the wall.”
In Benin, another protester, Retired Superintendent of Police Anthony Nnachor, echoed the frustrations:
“We are here to let the whole world know the predicament we are passing through. We are on a peaceful mission. Everybody here with me would have served in the force for 35 years meritoriously.
“It has become imperative for us to tell the world the problem we are going through. We are now living in abject poverty, and we can no longer meet our primary responsibility as parents.”
“The majority of us are dying. What is the main reason? The police in 2004 established a Pension Act. The serving members of the scheme are supposed to contribute 7 per cent, while the federal government will contribute 8 per cent.”
“This means that you are working for your retirement. It is the money that you have worked for that they will use to pay you. At the end of your service, they will calculate what we call a lump sum and give you 25 per cent. What we want now is for the Federal Government to exit us from this evil contributory pension scheme.”
