Otera Daniel
“Life is brutally unfair to Nigeria Police officers!” With that biting comment, activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore reignited a national conversation on inequality in Nigeria’s reward system, days after President Bola Tinubu gifted the victorious Super Falcons $100,000 (₦150 million) each alongside national honours and housing.
Sowore, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the African Action Congress (AAC), took to social media on Tuesday, slamming what he described as a system that overlooks the suffering of police officers who risk their lives for the country only to retire into hardship.
“Super Falcons won WAFCON, trained for one year, played for one month, were rewarded with $100,000 each and houses,” Sowore wrote. “Police officers protected them for decades, worked 35 years, retired with $1,500 (₦2 million) gratuity, no houses, no medicals, and a little pension.”
The 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champions were hosted at the Aso Rock Villa on Monday, where President Tinubu conferred the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) honour on all 24 players and 11 coaching crew members. He also announced housing gifts under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme and monetary rewards of $100,000 and $50,000 for players and coaches respectively.
“You have inspired millions, especially young girls, who now see proof that their dreams are valid,” Tinubu told the players. “You ignited hope, and we will continue to encourage you and the next generations.”
But Sowore insists that the fanfare only reinforces a skewed system that celebrates performance in the spotlight while ignoring decades of silent service. “The President or Governor handing out the awards? $1 billion in gratuity, lifetime pensions, homes everywhere, full medicals,” he added. “Meanwhile, retired police officers live in poverty.”
Sowore’s remarks come amid renewed agitation from police retirees trapped in Nigeria’s controversial Contributory Pension Scheme. Last week, hundreds of retired officers staged peaceful protests across several states, including the Federal Capital Territory and Edo, demanding to be exempted from the scheme, which they say has left many of them destitute.
In Abuja, demonstrators barricaded the entrance to the Force Headquarters for hours. “Virtually, we have nothing at home,” lamented one retired Chief Superintendent of Police. “Our wives and children no longer respect us. We are becoming useless to society.”
Responding to the backlash, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga defended the president’s reward, urging Nigerians to appreciate excellence.
“When you remember that Multichoice, organiser of the BBNaija reality show, offers a ₦150 million prize, you wonder why some Nigerians are unappreciative of President Tinubu’s rewards to the Super Falcons,” Onanuga said on X (formerly Twitter). “The President has rewarded excellence, creativity, and the undying Nigerian spirit.”
Yet, the outrage lingers.
“Celebrating our sports heroes is right,” Sowore noted. “But justice and fairness demand we also honour those who serve quietly, consistently, and often without protection of their own.”