“Super Falcons Got $100K and Houses, Retired Police Got N2M”: Outrage Grows Over Alleged Inequality in National Rewards

Follow

( 0 Followers )

X

Follow

E-mail : *

Follow Unfollow

Nigerians have taken to social media to express outrage over what many describe as a glaring injustice in the way the country rewards its heroes. A viral post by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore on X (formerly Twitter) has sparked nationwide debate, comparing the lavish gifts awarded to Nigeria’s Super Falcons with the meager benefits received by retired officers of the Nigeria Police Force.

The Super Falcons, who recently clinched the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, were honored by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with national awards of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), luxury three-bedroom homes in the Federal Capital Territory, and a $100,000 (₦150 million) cash prize for each of the 24 players. Members of the technical team also received $50,000 each in recognition of their dedication and performance.

While the nation celebrated the Falcons’ achievement, Sowore’s post laid bare a harsh comparison. He wrote:

“Super Falcons won WAFCON, trained for 1 year, played for 1 month, were rewarded with $100,000 and houses!
Police officers protected them for decades, worked 35 years, retired with $1,500 (₦2 million) as gratuity, no houses, no medicals, and a little pension!”

The post highlighted how some Nigerian police officers, after serving for decades, retire without decent gratuity, housing, or adequate healthcare receiving as little as ₦2 million and monthly pensions that struggle to match today’s cost of living.

Adding to the controversy, Sowore questioned the disparity in treatment between political leaders and civil servants:

“The President or the Governor who handed the awards? $1 BILLION in gratuity, lifetime pension, homes everywhere, full medicals!”

This sentiment has reignited the ongoing #PoliceProtest campaign, with officers both serving and retired demanding improved welfare, fair pension schemes, and equal treatment as public servants who have risked their lives for national security.

While Nigerians applaud the Super Falcons’ success, the conversation continues over how best to honor all who serve the nation not just in victory, but in lifelong dedication.