President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the full payment of allowances and match bonuses for the Super Falcons, ahead of their highly anticipated final clash against Morocco at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The announcement was made by Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, during a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday. According to Dikko, all financial entitlements — including those covering the period up to and including the July 26 final — have already been disbursed for immediate payment to players, coaches, and team officials.
A New Standard for Nigerian Sports
Describing the move as “policy in motion,” Dikko said it reflects President Tinubu’s renewed commitment to Nigerian athletes and a broader reform agenda within the sports sector.
“This is the kind of sports administration we are building — one rooted in dignity, trust, and shared prosperity,” he said.
“Future generations will appreciate President Tinubu’s reforms in the sports sector.”
The gesture marks a clear departure from the long-standing issues of delayed or disputed payments that have often overshadowed the success of Nigerian teams, particularly women’s national teams.
Reforms Extend to Women’s Basketball
Dikko also confirmed that the new approach would benefit other teams, notably D’Tigress, Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, who are set to begin their 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket campaign in Côte d’Ivoire. He said the team would enjoy enhanced allowances and bonuses under the same improved payment framework.
“We want our athletes to feel respected and valued,” he added. “That begins with honoring our commitments to them on time.”
A Promising Turn for Sports Governance
The Super Falcons, known for their dominance in African women’s football, head into the WAFCON final with not just national pride at stake but also the assurance that their hard work will be matched with timely and dignified compensation.
This latest move adds momentum to Tinubu’s administration’s wider reforms across Nigeria’s public sectors, signaling that sports — particularly women’s sports — are no longer being treated as an afterthought.
As the Super Falcons prepare for their final showdown in Morocco, the backing from the presidency may serve as both morale boost and precedent-setting progress in Nigeria’s sports landscape.