$100K Reward for Super Falcons and D’Tigress: Valid or Not?

By: Joshua Obisesan

When good deeds are rewarded, they not only reflect a noble gesture but also serve to inspire generations. In the heat of celebration, Nigeria’s golden girls, the Super Falcons and D’Tigress were warmly welcomed and promised $100,000 each by President Bola Tinubu for their remarkable achievements on the continental stage. Yet, as the cheers fade and time drags on, the promise has become clouded by doubt, stirring a national question from players and observers alike: Was it a genuine commitment or just another episode of performative politics?

The announcement of the reward had an immediate impact on Nigerian athletes, especially within the basketball community. The men’s team, D’Tigers, who had struggled leading up to the prestigious Afrobasket tournament, stormed back to win all their group-stage matches before eventually falling short in the quarterfinals to a relentless Senegalese side. Despite the loss, it was a commendable performance given their earlier form.

Their female counterparts, D’Tigress, went even further, clinching a record fifth consecutive Afrobasket title, bringing their continental trophy haul to seven. These remarkable feats illustrate how recognition, when properly given, can ripple through the sporting community and rekindle national pride.

However, amidst the celebrations, the debate lingers. To some, the $100,000 reward is a strategic investment, one that fuels motivation and inspires the next generation of athletes. Others, however, question its appropriateness in today’s harsh economic climate. For these critics, the gesture is seen as either a misplaced priority or an indiscriminate use of public funds at a time when millions of Nigerians grapple with inflation, unemployment, and poverty.

The Critics’ Concern

The pledge has triggered passionate debates. Some critics argue that such extravagant rewards are tone-deaf in light of Nigeria’s economic and social challenges: worsening insecurity, inadequate healthcare, poorly funded education, and widespread poverty. In their view, it’s a classic case of misplaced priorities.

Soldiers die on the battlefield, often receiving little more than a stipend for their sacrifice. Teachers go months without salaries, and doctors protest poor working conditions. Yet, the nation appears more eager to shower athletes with praise and financial incentives for 90 minutes of football or four quarters of basketball than to support those who hold the country together daily.

Martin Oloja, former MD/Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian Newspapers, highlighted this disparity in a recent column. He criticised the $100,000 reward, noting how it starkly contrasts with the underpayment of doctors, teachers, police officers, and others in essential roles.

Oloja also referenced a poignant poem by an unnamed Nigerian soldier titled “My Children Must Play Football”, which sheds light on the despair of uniformed men who give their all yet receive nothing in return. The soldier bitterly encourages his children to pursue football not out of love, but because a career in the military offers neither reward nor recognition.

The Case for the Reward

On the other hand, many defend the reward as a well-deserved recognition of excellence, not an attempt to downplay the value of other indispensable professions. Kehinde Nubi, a reporter for The Nation, dismissed the criticism as a “subtle transfer of aggression.” In her column “Super Falcons: Justifiable Rewards”, she argued that the anger should be directed at the government’s failure to improve wages and working conditions for doctors, soldiers, and teachers, not at the athletes who have excelled in their field. Indeed, should athletes be blamed for succeeding in a system that actually rewards them?

Still, the question remains: Should $100,000 be spent on athletes when millions can barely afford a meal?

Balancing Rewards and Realities

Objectively, it is the president’s prerogative to recognise and reward excellence. However, Nigeria’s reward system must be revisited. Far too often, workers who labour tirelessly like teachers, doctors, police officers, and soldiers remain underpaid, underappreciated, and unrecognized. In a country grappling with economic hardship and growing reliance on foreign loans, awarding such a substantial sum can appear tone-deaf, even if well-intentioned.

Yet, in a nation where systems work and priorities are well-balanced, a $100,000 reward would not be excessive. On the contrary, it would signal that athletes’ efforts and sacrifices are valued, not just in words but in tangible support. Recognition, when timely and sincere, can inspire a culture of excellence and elevate national morale. Indeed, the impact is already visible. The encouragement offered to the Super Falcons likely boosted the morale of D’Tigress, helping them secure their fifth Afrobasket title. It also reignited belief among the men’s team, D’Tigers.

Final Thoughts

Rewarding excellence is not inherently a misplaced priority. What matters is how and when it is done. Recognition should go hand in hand with structural reform, ensuring that not only athletes but also those in education, health, and national security are duly appreciated and fairly compensated. The $100,000 reward is valid in principle but in practice, it underscores deeper systemic issues. Celebrating sports success is good. Balancing it with the welfare of all citizens is better.