Group Captain Sadeeq Garba Shehu (rtd)
Understandably, Nigerians love football. A great proportion of us are football fans, I am one —fanatics even. We cheer, we cry, we unite when our national team plays. So, when our footballers brought home the African Cup, the nation erupted in joy. But what followed has triggered deeper reflection.
When footballers win trophies, the nation rejoices. But recently, that celebration took a controversial turn. Hundreds of millions of naira in $$$$, and houses in the capital were gifted to players for winning the African Cup.
But not surprisingly, some unintended consequences quickly followed.
Doctors—owed months of salaries and allowances—announced a warning strike. On social media, photos began circulating of soldiers who lost limbs in counter-insurgency operations struggling to get prosthetics. The message was silent but powerful: “Don’t these ones deserve lavish rewards too?”
Meanwhile,Police officers retire after 35 years with little to show. Teachers and university professors earn pittances while shaping the nation’s future (forcing some to extort their students or write projects for pay). Something is certainly broken . Something wrong with our national reward system.
Nigeria vs UK: How Treatment of Female Footballers Differs – A Deeper Look
Both Nigeria and the UK have recently celebrated major international football victories by their women’s national teams. But a study of the way each country treats and rewards their players reveals two very different approaches—not just in terms of material benefits, but also in institutional priorities, equity, and long-term investment in women’s sports.
1. Nature of Rewards: Ad Hoc vs Structured
Nigeria (Super Falcons)
Rewards are often reactive and ad hoc, triggered by a major win and tied closely to political goodwill. In the most recent case:
Players were given $100,000 each, three-bedroom houses in Abuja, and national honors (OON).
These rewards were announced after public outcry over the lavish treatment of male players.
UK (Lionesses)
Rewards are pre-negotiated, performance-based, and institutionalized:
Each player received appearance fees and pre-agreed bonuses tied to tournament progression (e.g., £55,000 in 2022, ~£87,000 in 2025).
Such reward structures are part of a collective bargaining agreement with the FA.
No lavish gifts but structured financial and symbolic rewards.
Key Difference:
Nigeria gives big, symbolic gifts after-the-fact. The UK provides structured, predictable, performance-linked rewards.
2. Symbolism vs Systemic Value
Nigeria
The reward system is high on spectacle—big announcements, ceremonial photo-ops, and presidential receptions. However, it often lacks follow-through or infrastructure support:
No evidence of long-term investment in women’s football academies, club support, or grassroots development.
The reward system doesn’t translate into sustained career development or league strengthening.
UK
Emphasis is placed on long-term visibility, public recognition, and legacy:
Players received MBEs, Freedom of the City, and community honors.
Success has been channeled into increased funding for girls’ football, growing media rights deals, and rising attendance in the Women’s Super League (WSL).
Key Difference:
Nigeria rewards the moment. The UK builds a movement.
3. Impact on Career and Commercial Opportunities
Nigeria
While players received houses and cash, career sustainability remains fragile:
Many Super Falcons play in underfunded clubs with poor medical care, unpaid salaries, and no pensions.
Lack of robust domestic league or commercial endorsements for female players.
UK
Post-Euro wins, the Lionesses saw boosts in sponsorships, media profiles, and club contracts:
Players like Leah Williamson and Beth Mead signed endorsement deals with Nike, Adidas, and major brands.
Visibility led to increased investment in the Women’s Super League, with stronger career pathways.
Key Difference:
UK players gain market value and career momentum. Nigerian players receive a one-time boost but little systemic support.
We can learn lessons.
Now, this post is not about resenting athletes…oh I love them. They bring joy, pride, and global recognition. But the scale and priority of rewards matter in a country where basic public services are collapsing. An unfair and lopsided reward system has unintended consequences: demoralization, protests, strikes, and brain drain. It sends a dangerous message—that entertainment matters more than service and sacrifice.
So what should a fair and equitable reward system for Nigeria look like?
1. Equity Across Sectors: Rewards must reflect the relative impact of service to national development. Soldiers, teachers, doctors, and security personnel deserve as much national honor as sports heroes.
2. Needs-Based Compensation: Those who risk life and limb (e.g. combat veterans) or save lives (e.g. healthcare workers) must receive compensation that matches their sacrifices, including rehabilitation and reintegration support.
3. Transparency and Criteria: There must be clear, published criteria for national rewards—no more ad hoc largesse based on emotion or political optics.
4. Sustainability First: A nation that can’t fund hospitals, pay salaries, or equip schools shouldn’t give out luxury homes for symbolic victories. Celebrate—yes. But not at the cost of basic national responsibilities.
5. National Merit Index: Nigeria needs a standardized “Merit and Service Recognition Framework” that measures contributions across sectors and ensures proportional national honors—be it in education, health, security, innovation, or sports.
Let us celebrate our footballers, but also our teachers, our scientists, our police officers, our doctors, our soldiers. A just reward system is one that says every role that sustains the nation matters.
Because when a country prioritizes applause over sacrifice, spectacle over service—inequality festers, and discontent brews.
I don finish. Your opinions may differ but they are welcome.
Group Captain Sadeeq Garba Shehu (rtd) is a Security Sector Reform Consultant
