Nigeria’s Super Falcons have refused an attempt by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to settle their victory reward in naira, insisting on receiving the $100,000 announced by President Tinubu in actual US dollars.
The controversy comes amid growing public frustration over the delayed disbursement of their much-celebrated WAFCON victory reward.
Sports analyst Aron Akerejola, speaking on Arise TV, clarified the situation, explaining that the delay was not due to negligence by the NFF.
Rather, it stemmed from the players rejecting payment in naira which had been calculated at an exchange rate of ₦1,530 to the dollar.
“They said, ‘We don’t live in Nigeria. What will we do with naira?’” Aron recounted.
The NFF then forwarded the sum to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to facilitate conversion into dollars, which further slowed payouts.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade had already confirmed that the squad had not received their payouts, despite repeated promises.
President Tinubu’s announcement in July included $100,000 cash, a three-bedroom home, and national honours (OON) for each player. Yet, the delay has sown frustration.
In response to growing outcry, Bukola Olopade, Director-General of the National Sports Commission, assured that the government will fulfill its pledges and that several players had already received their match bonuses.
