President Bola Tinubu has approved the full disbursement of allowances and match bonuses to the Super Falcons up to their final fixture in the ongoing 2025 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations against Morocco, scheduled for Saturday, July 26.
The payments were made by the National Sports Commission through the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on July 23 and are to be distributed to players, coaches, and team officials without delay or controversy — a departure from past delays that have often marred athlete compensation in Nigeria.
“This is not just payment. It is policy in motion and clear evidence of a new era in Nigerian sports, where our athletes are no longer celebrated only in moments of victory but respected in the entire process,” said Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission.
Dikko confirmed that the NFF had been directed to complete all payments before close of business on Friday, July 25, except where individual players choose otherwise.
“This is the expectation. No delays. No issues,” he added.
The move is being hailed as a landmark under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes athlete welfare and transparency.
In a similar move, Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, will also receive improved allowances and performance bonuses for their participation in the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament in Côte d’Ivoire, holding from July 25 to August 3.
The four-time African champions, who reached the quarterfinals at the last Olympics, are gunning for a record fifth title.
“This is the kind of sports administration we are building at the National Sports Commission — one rooted in shared prosperity, dignity of labour, and a culture of trust,” Dikko said.
He added that going forward, timely payment would become the norm for Nigerian athletes: “As long as resources are available, what our athletes earn, they will be paid — promptly and in full. What they deserve, they will receive.”
The Commission also congratulated the Super Falcons for reaching the final and expressed confidence in D’Tigress as they begin their continental title pursuit.
“This is a new chapter for Nigerian sports,” Dikko said. “Mission X is on. Let’s finish strong.”
