A wave of excitement swept through Nigeria’s sporting community on Thursday, July 25, 2025, as President Bola Tinubu approved the full payment of match bonuses and allowances to the Super Falcons ahead of their WAFCON 2025 final. The gesture, hailed by stakeholders as a landmark shift in sports policy, also extends to D’Tigress as they prepare for the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Côte d’Ivoire.
The development was confirmed by the Executive Secretary of the National Sports Industry Policy, Dr. Ademola Dikko, who described the President’s directive as “policy in motion.” He emphasised that the new era of seamless payments will instill trust and dignity in Nigeria’s sports system, breaking away from the history of delayed or denied entitlements.
Dikko noted that the Super Falcons—who have reached the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the 12th time—will not only receive their full bonuses ahead of the game but also enjoy an upgraded system of welfare moving forward. He stressed that this was a result of the Tinubu-led administration’s resolve to institutionalise reforms in sports funding.
The D’Tigress squad, currently in training camp for the 2025 AfroBasket, will also benefit from the same payment structure. According to sources within the Ministry of Sports Development, prompt disbursement of bonuses and allowances is now standard policy for all national athletes representing the country in major tournaments.
“This is the kind of sports administration we are building,” Dikko said. “One rooted in dignity, trust, and shared prosperity. Athletes deserve to be treated as professionals, and future generations will appreciate President Tinubu’s bold reforms in this sector.”
Players and fans have lauded the announcement, calling it timely and morale-boosting. For many, the move marks a departure from past administrations where athletes had to protest or publicly cry out for their dues after representing the country on the global stage.
Sports analysts believe this financial clarity and commitment will serve as a motivational boost as the Falcons aim to reclaim continental glory, and as D’Tigress targets their fourth consecutive AfroBasket title, strengthening Nigeria’s dominance in women’s basketball across Africa.
