Onanuga Defends Falcons Reward, Compares It to BBNaija ₦150m Prize

President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to award cash gifts and national honours to the victorious Super Falcons team has stirred public debate over the country’s spending priorities.

Each player received the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), alongside the naira equivalent of $100,000. Members of the technical crew were also awarded $50,000 each, in addition to the promise of a three-bedroom apartment in Abuja.

Defending the gesture, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga argued that the president was rewarding excellence and patriotism. “When you remember that Multichoice is offering ₦150 million to the winner of Big Brother Naija, you wonder why anyone would criticize the reward given to our national team,” Onanuga posted on X.

The comment sparked a flurry of reactions online, with some supporting the comparison, while others argued that sports and entertainment should not be equated in terms of national recognition.