Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has dismissed reports that the Super Falcons have not received their tournament bonuses, insisting that all entitlements have been settled except for a few cases affected by banking issues.
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Speaking on Arise News TV’s The Morning Show on Friday, Olopade said he had personally confirmed the payments with team captain Rasheedat Ajibade and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).“I have spoken to Ajibade directly and I have in my phone messages between her and Mallam Shehu Dikko, the chairman of the Sports Commission, where she vehemently denied ever saying their bonuses have not been paid,” Olopade stated. “I know authoritatively that all their bonuses, without going into figures, have been paid.
Only one or two players are experiencing delays due to CBN-related account issues.”He described the reports as misleading, adding, “To now say the bonuses have not been paid is not true. I don’t think we should put Ajibade in a position where she is accused of saying something she didn’t say when, in reality, the money is already in their accounts.”On the $100,000 cash gift and three-bedroom apartments promised by President Bola Tinubu to each player following the Falcons’ triumph at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Olopade assured that the pledges would be honoured.“On the promise Mr President made, we need to stop playing politics with everything. It will be paid.A
A few days ago, Mallam Shehu Dikko was still in discussions with the Minister for Housing, and I sat down with the gentleman in charge of the Renewed Hope Homes. Work has already started on how they will get the apartments in record time,” he said.Olopade maintained that the Tinubu administration has a record of fulfilling its commitments to athletes. “When we tell athletes ‘A’ will be given, they get ‘A’ We don’t play games with their remuneration or their participation in competitions. Our goal is to ensure they can make the country proud,” he said.
President Tinubu had on July 28, 2025, hosted the Super Falcons at the Presidential Villa to celebrate their record 10th WAFCON title, where he announced the $100,000 reward, a three-bedroom apartment, and national honours for each player.The controversy arose after Ajibade was quoted in an August 14 interview as saying the team had yet to receive “any of the promises,” sparking public debate over the government’s commitment.
