SUPER EAGLES GET TINUBU REWARDS BOOST BEFORE AFCON OPENER

By: Gyang Dakwo

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have received a major morale boost ahead of their opening match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after players from the 2023 tournament were formally presented with rewards promised by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The players, who finished runners up at AFCON 2023, were handed their national honours certificates as well as title documents for houses and land allocations. The presentation took place on Monday, December 22, 2025, at the team’s hotel in Fez, Morocco, just hours before Nigeria begin their AFCON campaign.

President Tinubu had announced the reward package last year following the Super Eagles’ run to the final of the tournament in Côte d’Ivoire, where Nigeria lost 2 to 1 to the host nation.

The brief ceremony was led by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, and was attended by senior government officials and football administrators. Those present included the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, as well as members of the National Assembly sports committees.

Speaking at the event, Dikko confirmed that most members of the squad were awarded the Member of the Order of the Niger in recognition of their service to the country.

Former Super Eagles captain, William Troost Ekong, received the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic after emerging as Player of the Tournament at AFCON 2023. Ahmed Musa and Victor Osimhen were awarded the Officer of the Order of the Niger, having previously received the MON.

Both Troost Ekong and Musa are not in Morocco for the tournament, after announcing their international retirement before the competition.

Dikko also disclosed that all housing allocations in Abuja or Lagos, as well as land grants in the Federal Capital Territory, have been fully processed and documented. He said the gesture showed the President’s commitment to rewarding excellence and national service.

He added that similar reward packages approved for the Super Falcons and Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, have also been processed. While the national honours certificates and housing documents are ready, arrangements are ongoing for the payment of the cash awards, valued at one hundred thousand dollars per player, through the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

The Super Eagles begin their AFCON campaign against Tanzania on Tuesday (Today). They will also face Tunisia on December 27 before rounding off the group stage against Uganda three days later.