Paul Ibe, media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Presidency for comparing the reward given to the Super Falcons to the grand prize awarded to the winner of Big Brother Naija (BBNaija).
The controversy began after Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to defend the federal government’s cash reward to the Super Falcons. He wondered why some Nigerians were unhappy with the President’s gesture.
According to Onanuga, the reality TV show BBNaija offers its winner a N150 million cash prize. He questioned why Nigerians praised such private initiatives but criticised Tinubu’s reward of $100,000 to each Super Falcons player for their performance at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
Onanuga’s post sparked mixed reactions. Many users on social media debated whether the comparison between a privately sponsored TV show and a government-funded national reward was fair.
Responding on Wednesday, Paul Ibe called the comparison “misplaced” and emphasised the difference between private and public funding. He stated clearly that the N150 million BBNaija prize is paid by Multichoice, a private company, using its revenue, not public funds.
In a post on his own X handle, Ibe wrote:
“Dear @aonanuga1956,
I believe the Super Falcons and, indeed, any team or individual who brings pride to Nigeria deserves to be rewarded. That’s not in question.
However, comparing this to Multichoice paying N150 million to BBNaija winners is simply off the mark. Multichoice uses its own money, generated from business activities. Tinubu, on the other hand, is spending public funds—our commonwealth. Even the fish that lives in water does not gulp it recklessly.”
Ibe’s post quickly gained attention, especially among Nigerians who expressed concerns about government spending in a time of economic hardship.
Super Falcons get reward from Tinubu
New Daily Prime reported that President Tinubu had awarded each Super Falcons player a $100,000 cash reward, while each member of the coaching and support staff received $50,000. In addition, all 24 players and 11 technical crew members were honoured with the national title of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
The rewards did not stop there. Each team member is also set to receive a three-bedroom apartment as part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.
While many Nigerians praised the government’s recognition of the Super Falcons’ achievement, others argued that the rewards were excessive, especially given the country’s current economic situation.
This debate highlights a larger issue: how the government prioritises spending and how public funds are perceived in comparison to private business incentives.
Read Also: Onanuga defends Super Falcons’ rewards, draws comparison to BBNaija prize
Updated: Tinubu rewards Super Falcons with honours, cash, housing
