Why did NFF President Gusau dedicate Falcons’ sixth CAF Award to Remi Tinubu?

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, dedicated the 2024 CAF Award won by the Nigerian national women’s team to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Super Falcons claimed a back-to-back victory at the prestigious African award ceremony, winning in their usual category for Women’s National Team of the Year.

This marks the team’s sixth win in this category, having previously won in 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2023, and now in 2024. This firms their status as the giants of African women’s football.

At the award ceremony, the football administrator took the stage to accept the award on behalf of the team, encouraging them to continue working hard. He dedicated the award to the First Lady for her relentless support in his message.

“I must say I’m happy to stand here again. Last year, I was here to receive the same award. That shows the commitment and hard work we are putting in to maintain the standard of women’s football. I just want to call on those who are trying to catch up with Nigerian women’s football: you should work hard because we are not sleeping. We will continue to work hard, and this award is dedicated to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who has been supporting women’s football in Nigeria tirelessly,” he said.

This dedication has sparked questions within the Nigerian football community about why the President would choose to dedicate the players’ long-standing efforts to the First Lady.

It is worth noting that the First Lady has been a consistent supporter of women’s football, dating back to 2023 when she praised Asisat Oshoala for winning the CAF Player of the Year award in the women’s category.

Additionally, she has encouraged the team on several occasions, particularly during the 2024 Olympic qualifiers, where the team was unfortunately eliminated in the group stage.

While there is no public record of Remi Tinubu donating gifts or monetary support to the team, Gusau must have had a compelling reason to express his gratitude to the First Lady at such a prestigious event.