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In a time when social media continues to amplify unverified claims, a false narrative about President Bola Tinubu’s alleged extravagant rewards to Nigeria’s national football team has gained traction online.
A viral Facebook post circulating in the “Wizkid Fan Group” falsely claimed that President Tinubu rewarded each Super Eagles player with an estate and a car worth N400 million (approximately $1 million) following their bronze medal performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The post, shared by user Sunday Shedrack Eneowo, attempted to stir public sentiment by contrasting the supposed lavish gifts with what he described as a lack of recognition for Nigerian military personnel fighting security threats across the country.
“Tinibu gives Super Eagles estate and car worth 400 million each in recognition of their third-place finish in AFCON,” read the post, which was accompanied by what appeared to be a photograph showing Nigerian players Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, and coach Eric Chelle meeting with the president at Aso Rock, the presidential villa.
Fact-checkers have confirmed the claim is entirely fabricated. The image purportedly showing the players with President Tinubu was generated using artificial intelligence and has no basis in reality.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles did indeed secure third place at the recent AFCON tournament held in Morocco, defeating Egypt in a penalty shootout in the bronze medal match. However, following this achievement, the players returned directly to their respective club teams across Europe and elsewhere. No official reception at Aso Rock took place.
Furthermore, the Nigerian government has made no public announcement regarding any rewards—monetary or otherwise—for the team’s AFCON performance. Such high-value gifts would typically be announced through official channels and would generate substantial media coverage across Nigeria’s sports and political news outlets.
This fabrication comes at a sensitive time in Nigerian politics, as the country faces significant economic challenges and security concerns. The false narrative appears designed to create division by suggesting preferential treatment for athletes over security personnel.
The viral nature of the post highlights the ongoing challenge of misinformation on social media platforms. Facebook groups with large memberships can quickly amplify false claims, particularly when they involve high-profile figures like President Tinubu or popular national icons such as the Super Eagles players.
Sports recognition in Nigeria has historically been a complex issue. While previous administrations have rewarded sporting achievements with various incentives, including cash prizes, national honors, and occasionally property, the scale of the alleged gifts in this case—N400 million per player—would be unprecedented and economically unfeasible given Nigeria’s current fiscal situation.
The Super Eagles’ bronze medal at AFCON represents a meaningful achievement for Nigerian football, especially considering the competitive nature of the continental tournament. However, the fabricated story of extraordinary presidential rewards serves only to mislead the public and potentially undermine legitimate discussions about national priorities, resource allocation, and recognition of service across different sectors.
As Nigeria continues to navigate its complex social and economic landscape, the importance of verifying information before sharing it remains paramount for citizens engaging with news on social media platforms.
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5 Comments
While it would be nice to see the national team recognized for their achievements, it’s important the rewards are accurate and not exaggerated. I appreciate the diligence of the fact-checkers in verifying the details here.
Hmm, I wonder what the motivation was behind this particular false claim. Was it just an attempt to generate outrage and engagement, or was there a more calculated agenda at play? Either way, I’m glad the truth came out.
Interesting fact check. It’s good to see the media and fact-checkers working to debunk false claims, especially around high-profile political figures and athletes. Maintaining public trust requires separating truth from fiction.
This seems like a classic case of misinformation spreading rapidly on social media. I’m glad the authorities were able to quickly confirm the claims were fabricated. Fact-checking is so crucial these days to combat the spread of false narratives.
This is a good reminder of the need to be skeptical of unverified claims, especially when they involve high-profile public figures. It’s always best to wait for authoritative sources to confirm the facts before spreading information.