Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has strongly refuted claims that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) failed to settle the bonuses owed to the Super Falcons following their participation in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Speaking in an interview with Arise TV, Olopade dismissed comments reportedly attributed to Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade, which suggested that the players were still owed payments. He stressed that all bonuses had been cleared before the team’s final match against Morocco in the recently concluded tournament.
“I know authoritatively that all their bonuses, without going into figures, have been paid,” Olopade said. “I’ve confirmed from the NFF and I’ve confirmed from Ajibade that, except for maybe one or two players whose accounts are with the Central Bank of Nigeria, all of their monies have been paid.”
The NSC chief suggested that any lingering issues may be due to technical banking delays rather than non-payment by the federation. “To now say that Ajibade said they’ve not been paid, I don’t think it’s true,” he continued. “We should not put the young woman in a predicament of denying or saying she said something she didn’t say when, in reality, the money is in their accounts and with them.”
NSC DG assures govt commitment to fulfilling promises made to Falcons
Olopade also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to honouring other promises made to the team, including the allocation of houses to the players. This pledge was made by the President in recognition of the Falcons’ efforts on the continental stage.
“It will be paid,” he assured. “As of a few days ago, Madam Chairwoman was still in talks with the Minister for Housing. Work has already started on how they will get their apartments in record time. We are in a government that fulfils promises.”
The NSC boss took issue with what he described as misinformation that could damage the image of the federation and the government. “We deserve an apology for that. Because it is wrong, it is a lie. Those bonuses were paid even before the final matches — to the tune of almost $30,000 each. Each player has been paid their bonuses before the final matches. And now it is out there that we’ve not paid those bonuses, which is a lie,” he said.
The Super Falcons’ performance at the 2024 WAFCON drew praise across Nigeria despite narrowly missing out on the title. The tournament also reignited discussions about player welfare, financial accountability in sports administration, and the timeliness of payments to athletes representing the country.
The NFF has faced criticism in the past over delayed or incomplete payments to national team players, both male and female. While Olopade’s comments aim to put those concerns to rest regarding this specific tournament, the situation has highlighted the sensitivity surrounding financial dealings in Nigerian football.
Observers note that even the suggestion of unpaid bonuses can stir public dissatisfaction, especially given the Falcons’ status as the most successful women’s national team in Africa. Misinformation or misunderstandings can quickly become national talking points, prompting calls for greater transparency and direct communication between players, the federation, and the public.
Olopade’s firm dismissal of the claims comes at a time when the NSC is seeking to rebuild public trust in sports governance. By publicly addressing the matter, he hopes to clarify any confusion and prevent the narrative from overshadowing the Falcons’ on-field achievements.
While the dispute over the alleged unpaid bonuses may now be cooling, the episode underscores the importance of clear, consistent messaging in football administration. For the Falcons, the focus will now turn back to preparing for upcoming international fixtures, confident in the assurance that their financial entitlements have been met — and with the promise of government-backed housing still to come.
