The Nenadi Usman-led Labour Party has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu for awarding cash gifts to the Super Falcons in U.S. dollars rather than the Nigerian Naira.
President Tinubu had announced a $100,000 reward for each player of the women’s national football team following their triumph at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
In a statement issued by her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Eluma Asogwa, Usman condemned the gesture as “utterly shameful” and “deeply unpatriotic,” arguing that it sends a damaging message about the declining value of the Naira.
“The President’s decision to reward the Super Falcons in U.S. dollars is not just symbolic—it reflects a lack of confidence in our national currency,” the statement read.
The party further noted that the Naira has suffered significant depreciation under the current administration, dropping from around ₦500 to over ₦1,500 per dollar, making it one of the worst-performing currencies in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Usman warned that such actions could worsen public perception of the Naira and weaken Nigeria’s economic sovereignty.
“The President cannot continue to urge citizens to believe in the Naira while simultaneously promoting a culture that glorifies foreign currency,” she stated.
The Labour Party called on the government to take immediate steps to stabilize and strengthen the Naira, urging leadership that prioritizes national pride and economic integrity.
