Super Falcons Insist On Dollar Payment, Reject Naira For Tinubu’s $100k Gift

FCT, ABUJA, NIGERIA – The Super Falcons have rejected the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) attempt to pay President Bola Tinubu’s promised $100,000 reward in naira, demanding instead to receive the funds in U.S. dollars as originally announced.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had announced the $100,000 cash gift, along with national honours and housing awards, in recognition of the team’s triumph at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Speaking on Arise TV, Sports analyst Aron Akerejola, revealed that the delay in payment was not due to negligence by the NFF, but rather the players’ refusal to accept the local currency.

“The part of the story they are not telling is that these girls were given the money.

“The NFF proposed paying their allowances in naira at a rate of ₦1,530 to a dollar. The players refused, saying, ‘We don’t live in Nigeria. What will we do with naira?’”, Akerejola said.

As a result, the NFF reportedly transferred the funds to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to be converted into U.S. dollars – a move that has caused further delays.

“It’s not the fault of the NFF,” Akerejola continued. “The government released the money, but the players rejected naira. That’s why it dragged on.”

Team captain Rasheedat Ajibade earlier confirmed the squad had yet to receive the payment, but remained hopeful the matter would soon be resolved.