President Bola Tinubu honored each player and official of the Nigerian Super Eagles with the Member of the Order of the Niger national award for securing the silver medal at the 2023 Africa Nations Cup. Tinubu commended their sportsmanship, resilience, and team spirit, decorating each member with MON lapel pins at a reception in Abuja. He also announced the donation of a flat and a plot of land to each, with forms for land allocation distributed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

The event occurred 48 hours after the Super Eagles unsuccessfully battled for the top spot at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations against Côte d’Ivoire. Tinubu acknowledged their role in fostering unity and urged them to hold their heads high despite finishing second. He emphasized the pride Nigerians felt in their remarkable journey throughout the competition, recognizing their determination and resilience despite challenges.

Tinubu pledged to continue investing in sports and youth development, aiming to attract greater private sector investment in the Nigerian Professional Football League. He promised to be a promoter of sports in the country and highlighted the potential future roles of the players in the local premiership system. The Minister of Sports Development lauded Tinubu for creating a separate Ministry of Sports Development and praised the team’s focused performance.

The Vice-Captain expressed gratitude for the support received during their time in Ivory Coast and vowed to work hard to surpass their achievements in the next competition. Meanwhile, the national team captain appealed to Super Eagles fans to refrain from bullying individual players following Nigeria’s loss in the finals. Coach Jose Peseiro expressed gratitude for being hosted by Tinubu and praised the team’s spirit and performance, despite falling short in the finals. He appreciated the invitation from the President, emphasizing the honor and pride it brought him.