By Salisu Uba Kofar Wambai
It is no doubt that football remains one of the strongest unifying forces for Nigerians, especially during major tournaments when our national teams fly the green-white-green flag at continental or global competitions. The story was no different recently.
The nation erupted in joy when the Super Falcons turned in a stellar performance at the just-concluded African Women’s Championship, emerging victorious in style. For their triumph, the players were rewarded with ₦160 million, luxury apartments in Abuja, and national honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
Before the cheers died down, another triumph came from the basketball court. Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, conquered Africa for the fifth time — an unprecedented feat in the continent’s history. They too received ₦160 million, national honours, and other perks from the Tinubu administration as a reward for making the country proud.
These are well-deserved accolades, and we congratulate them wholeheartedly. But against the backdrop of Nigeria’s biting economic hardship — worsened by currency devaluation and the removal of fuel subsidy — one cannot ignore that the families of these women are now among the lucky few.
It is also not lost on observers that all these celebrated athletes hail from southern Nigeria, where culture and religion give more room for women to thrive in such sports. For northern women, however, social norms and religious considerations largely shut the door on similar opportunities.
The resentment deepens when we recall another recent achievement — this time not on the field, but in the arena of intellect. A group of Nigerian students from the North travelled to London and conquered the world, emerging champions at the prestigious English-Speaking and Debate Competition. Unlike the Falcons and D’Tigress, these young women did not just defeat African teams; they beat the entire world.
Yet, to the disappointment of many, the president’s response was a mere congratulatory statement issued through his media aides. No grand reception, no cash reward, no national honours. To some in the North, this is another example of what they perceive as a lopsided and selective reward system — a reflection of the same imbalance they accuse the administration of in project allocations. This, despite the North delivering 64.5% of the votes that secured the president’s 2023 electoral victory.
Thankfully, there was a silver lining. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar stepped in, awarding the victorious students scholarships to pursue their education to any level they desire. This gesture is commendable and stands as a reminder that recognition and reward should not depend on geography or political convenience.
Writes from Uba Kofar Wambai
