Good News For Super Falcons As NSC Promises Better Pay Package

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has announced plans to improve the remuneration of Nigeria’s senior women’s football team, the Super Falcons, as part of efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen the welfare of women athletes.

NSC Director General, Bukola Olopade, disclosed the development on Monday while outlining the government’s broader strategy for the development of sports in Nigeria. He said arrangements were already being made to increase the pay of the Super Falcons, with details expected to be made public soon.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Olopade said the welfare of athletes remained an important part of the government’s sports development agenda, particularly for Nigerian women competing at the international level.

He also revealed that the government was expanding its sports infrastructure programme beyond major stadiums by developing neighbourhood facilities and supporting state governments in the construction and renovation of sporting venues across the country. He explained that the initiative was designed to make sporting facilities more accessible to communities while creating opportunities for young talents to develop.

Olopade further highlighted the increasing involvement of women in sports administration, citing the Nigeria Netball Federation as an example. He noted that the federation is led by a female president and that women occupy nine of its 13 board positions.

The NSC boss said the Nigeria netball team was currently participating in the Africa Netball Cup and the qualifiers for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Nairobi, Kenya, describing the development as part of the country’s growing presence in the sport.

Olopade also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s support for D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, following their recent achievements on the African continent. He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had fulfilled the government’s $100,000 cash reward to each player as part of the rewards promised after their historic success. The NSC had earlier confirmed that the naira equivalent of $100,000 was paid to each player, while team officials received the equivalent of $50,000.

He said the administration remained committed to supporting Nigeria’s women’s teams across different sporting disciplines and expressed confidence that continued investment would help sustain their achievements.

Olopade also stressed that the government’s sports strategy was focused on building for the future rather than dwelling on previous setbacks. He said the broader objective was to reposition Nigerian sports around athlete welfare, talent development, infrastructure and wider access to sporting opportunities.

The NSC Director General maintained that the government’s sports investment should benefit not only elite athletes representing Nigeria internationally but also young Nigerians and communities that require access to facilities and opportunities to begin and develop their sporting careers.