Former 2023 presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, has lambasted the federal government’s reward structure, calling it “brutally unfair” to long-serving Nigeria Police officers.
His comments followed President Tinubu’s lavish recognition of the Super Falcons after they clinched the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
At the presidential reception in Abuja, each of the 24 players received the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) honour, $100,000 (about ₦150 million), and a three-bedroom apartment.
The Falcons’ coaching crew, 11 members, each got $50,000 (₦75 million) and housing under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.
“Super Falcons… trained for one year, played for one month, rewarded with $100,000 each and houses!” Sowore tweeted. “Police officers protected them for decades, retired with $1,500 gratuity, no homes, no full medicals…”
He contrasted that with perks for political elites: “The President or Governor gets $1 billion in gratuity, lifetime pension, homes everywhere, full medicals!”
In response, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga defended the decision, comparing it to the ₦150 million grand prize for BBNaija winners, and arguing the Falcons deserved the recognition for inspiring Nigerians.
Sowore’s reaction comes amid protests from retired police officers under the Contributory Pension Scheme in Abuja, Edo, and Benin City.
Retirees marched to the National Assembly and blocked the Force Headquarters gate in Abuja, demanding removal from the scheme that has left many destitute.
One retiree lamented, “A retired CSP cannot even send his children to school… our condition has deteriorated beyond repair.”
In Benin, retired SP Anthony Nnachor warned that many former officers were dying because of inadequate pension benefits and urged the government to exempt them from the current scheme.