FG's Reward to D’Tigress, Falcons Sparks Debate; Shehu Sani Offers Perspective

FG's Reward to D’Tigress, Falcons Sparks Debate; Shehu Sani Offers Perspective

By Niyi Busari 

Former lawmaker and human rights activist, Senator Shehu Sani, has weighed in on the ongoing debate over the Federal Government’s substantial financial reward to Nigeria’s leading female national teams—the Super Falcons and D’Tigress—urging critics to consider the broader significance of the gesture, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The public discourse was reignited after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a generous package for D’Tigress, following their unprecedented fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s Afrobasket title. Each player on the team was awarded $100,000, while technical crew members received $50,000—a reward structure similar to what the Super Falcons received after their recent WAFCON triumph.

While many Nigerians hailed the decision as a long-overdue recognition of female athletes’ achievements, others expressed disapproval, citing the country’s current economic struggles and the perceived insensitivity of such largesse.

In response to the criticism, Senator Sani took to his verified X (formerly Twitter) account to defend the government’s action and highlight a perceived double standard in public reactions.

“Imagine what some people would have said if the Falcons and D’Tigress were just rewarded with N1 million and told to go and meet the FCT Minister and Senate President for a handshake and go home,” Sani wrote.

The former Kaduna Central Senator emphasized that rewarding outstanding performance in sports—especially by female athletes who have historically received less recognition—was not just appropriate, but essential for fostering national pride and gender equity in sports.

His comments have sparked further debate online, with many agreeing that the recognition and financial support send a powerful message of encouragement to women in sports, and underline the importance of sustained investment in athletics across the board.