Hon. Bukola Olopade, director-general of the National Sports Commission (NSC), has dismissed reports that the Super Falcons have not received their tournament bonuses, insisting that all entitlements have been paid, except for a few cases.
Speaking on Arise News TV’s The Morning Show on Friday, Olopade said he personally confirmed with team captain Rasheedat Ajibade and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that the bonuses had been settled.
“I have spoken to Ajibade directly and I have in my phone messages between Ajibade and Mallam Shehu Dikko, the chairman of the Sports Commission, where she vehemently denied ever saying their bonuses have not been paid.
I know authoritatively that all their bonuses, without going into figures, have been paid,” Olopade stated.
“I have confirmed from NFF and I have confirmed from Ajibade, but for only one or two whose accounts have issues with the CBN, all of their monies have been paid in terms of the bonuses.”
The NSC boss described the contrary claims as misleading, adding: “To now say the bonuses have not been paid is not true. I don’t think we should put the young woman (Ajibade) in the predicament of denying or saying she said something she didn’t say, when in the real sense, the money is in their accounts.”
Olopade also addressed delays in delivering the $100,000 cash gift and three-bedroom apartments promised by President Bola Tinubu to each Falcons player following their victory at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The DG assured that the government remained committed to fulfilling the pledges and that discussions were ongoing to fast-track the process.
“On the promise Mr President made, we need to stop playing politics and games with everything, it will be paid. A few days ago, Mallam Shehu Dikko was still talking to the Minister for Housing and I sat down with the gentleman in charge of the Renewed Hope Homes, and work has already started on how they will get the apartments in record time,” he explained.
Olopade stressed that the Tinubu administration has a proven record of honouring commitments to athletes:
“Look, we are in a government that fulfills promises; a whole lot of things have changed. When we tell athletes ‘A’ will be given, they get ‘A’. We don’t play games with their remuneration, we don’t play games with them going for competitions. We are quick to say this is what we can do — go out and make the country proud.”
On July 28, 2025, President Tinubu hosted the Super Falcons at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa to celebrate their record 10th WAFCON title, announcing a $100,000 reward, a three-bedroom apartment, and national honours for each player.
However, in an interview on August 14, Ajibade was quoted as saying the team had yet to receive “any of the promises,” sparking public debate and criticism of the government’s commitment.