The row over President Bola Tinubu’s $100,000 reward for the Super Falcons has deepened as the players rejected attempts by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to settle the payment in naira.
The development, which has sparked heated debate among football enthusiasts, centers on the WAFCON champions’ insistence that the money must be disbursed in dollars as originally announced.
A sports analyst, Aron Akerejola, disclosed on Arise TV that the NFF had proposed paying the players their allowances—estimated at $30,000 per player—in naira at the official exchange rate of ₦1,530 to the dollar.
“But the players bluntly refused,” Aron revealed. “Their argument is that they don’t play in Nigeria, so paying them in naira makes little sense. They want the dollars as promised.”
According to him, the NFF thereafter suggested remitting the funds to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for conversion to foreign currency, a move that has prolonged the disbursement process.
Government sources confirmed that the Ministry of Sports had released the money to the NFF in line with due process, but the stand-off has left the players without their reward weeks after their WAFCON triumph.
The controversy has divided opinion across the football community. While some fans argue that the Falcons are entitled to demand payment in a stable currency, others believe their rejection of naira is an insult to the country.
“This is embarrassing,” Aron said. “The government made the commitment, the NFF followed directives, but the players’ refusal is what stalled the payment.”
The $100,000 gift, announced by Tinubu to celebrate the Falcons’ WAFCON victory, was widely seen as a morale booster for women’s football.
However, the currency tussle has now overshadowed the gesture, highlighting lingering distrust between athletes and sports administrators over welfare and accountability.
