Paul Ibe, Media Adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has called out the Presidency for comparing the ₦150 million Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) grand prize to the $100,000 cash gift awarded to each Super Falcons player by President Bola Tinubu. Ibe described the comparison as reckless and misleading, stressing that one is private investment, while the other is taxpayers’ money.
The backlash followed a post by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who criticized Nigerians for what he termed “ungrateful reactions” to the national rewards announced after the Super Falcons’ record 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title win. Onanuga had referenced BBNaija as an example of Nigerians celebrating private entertainment with larger prize pools.
But Ibe, in a direct response on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, stated that President Tinubu’s use of state funds should not be equated to Multichoice’s business-driven incentives. “Multichoice is spending private money generated from its operations. Tinubu is spending from our commonwealth,” he wrote, urging the government to recognize the difference between public accountability and commercial sponsorship.
He acknowledged the Falcons’ heroics and agreed that the players deserve recognition, but criticized what he called an unnecessary justification for federal generosity. “Even the fish that lives inside of water does not drink it with reckless abandon,” he added, casting doubt on the prudence of the spending amidst Nigeria’s economic hardship.
President Tinubu had announced a $100,000 reward for each player, $50,000 each for the coaches and support staff, and national honours of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) for all 35 squad and technical members. The announcement also included three-bedroom apartments for each team member under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.
While many Nigerians celebrated the gesture, others questioned the timing and sustainability of such largesse given the country’s economic challenges, unpaid pensions, and struggling public sectors. The online debate intensified when the BBNaija comparison entered the mix, triggering a wider conversation on governance priorities.
The Super Falcons defeated Morocco in a dramatic 3–2 final at WAFCON 2024, clinching their 10th continental title. Their homecoming was met with jubilation, culminating in a grand reception at the Presidential Villa on Monday, July 28, where the rewards were announced.
