As the Super Falcons gear up for their showdown against Morocco in the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final, President Bola Tinubu has taken a major step in boosting morale and institutional trust by approving the full payment of all allowances and match bonuses for the team with no delays.
The announcement, made by Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, signals a long-overdue shift in how Nigeria treats its national athletes, particularly women’s teams that have historically faced neglect or bureaucratic bottlenecks in receiving entitlements.
According to Dikko, the payment covers the entirety of the Super Falcons’ WAFCON campaign right up to the final on July 26, 2025 and has already been disbursed for immediate payment to the team’s players, coaches, and support staff.
“This is policy in motion,” said Dikko, describing the initiative as part of a broader reform aimed at restoring dignity, accountability, and trust in Nigeria’s sports ecosystem.
This move is not just symbolic it’s practical.
Nigerian sports teams, especially women’s squads, have historically battled with unpaid dues, late payments, and administrative hurdles. By paying bonuses in full and ahead of the final, Tinubu’s administration sends a clear message: this is the new standard.
Policy Extended: D’Tigress Join Super Falcons in Bonus Boost
Dikko also revealed that the policy is not limited to football. Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, who are preparing for their 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket campaign in Côte d’Ivoire, will also receive enhanced allowances and bonuses under the same reform framework.
“This is the kind of sports administration we are building—one rooted in dignity, trust, and shared prosperity,” he stated, adding that “future generations will appreciate President Tinubu’s reforms in the sports sector.”
This development couldn’t have come at a more crucial moment. With the Super Falcons one game away from potentially clinching another WAFCON title, morale and motivation are at an all-time high. But beyond the immediate tournament, this sets a precedent for how Nigerian athletes will be treated going forward.
It also aligns with global best practices where athletes are compensated promptly and treated as professionals not afterthoughts.
What’s Next?
While the approval is a major step, consistency will be key. Sports fans, stakeholders, and the athletes themselves will be watching to see if:
• The same commitment is shown to other national teams.
• These reforms extend to grassroots and developmental sports.
• This policy remains consistent across future administrations.
President Tinubu’s approval of full bonuses for the Super Falcons and D’Tigress isn’t just a financial gesture it’s a bold signal of a new era in Nigerian sports. With the WAFCON final on the horizon, the move could also prove to be a morale-boosting masterstroke.
If upheld, this policy may finally put an end to the era of delayed payments, protests, and distrust ushering in a system where Nigerian athletes are not only celebrated on the field but also respected off it.
Your Turn
Do you believe this is a real turning point for Nigerian sports, or just a one-time fix?
How should this new policy be extended to benefit more athletes especially at grassroots level?
Share your thoughts in the comments let’s talk about how to keep this momentum going.
