In a grand ceremony held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu conferred national honours on the victorious Super Falcons, Nigeria's senior women's national football team, for their historic win at the 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. The team was awarded the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) title, a symbol of Nigeria's highest esteem for their remarkable achievement.

The President's gesture went beyond mere accolades, as he showered the team with substantial rewards. Each of the 24 players received:

- A three-bedroom apartment in the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme

- A cash award equivalent to $100,000 in naira

- A donation of ₦10 million from the Nigerian Governors' Forum, courtesy of the 36 state governors

The 11-member technical crew wasn't left out either, receiving:

- A three-bedroom apartment each

- A cash award of $50,000 each

Controversy on Social Media

The lavish rewards sparked a heated debate on social media, with some Nigerians hailing the President's gesture as a well-deserved recognition of the team's exceptional performance. Others, however, criticized the extravagance of the rewards, arguing that such largesse could be better utilized addressing pressing national issues.

Despite the controversy, many believe that the Super Falcons' victory and the subsequent rewards will inspire a new generation of young Nigerian girls to take up football and pursue their dreams. The team's captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, expressed gratitude for the recognition and called for continued support from the government and stakeholders to elevate Nigeria's global standing in women's football.