Super Eagles AFCON 2023 Runners-Up Receive National Honours, Housing And Land Documents

Members of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, who finished as runners-up at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), have formally received their national honours certificates, as well as title documents for houses and land allocations promised by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The presentation took place on December 22, 2025, at the team’s hotel in Fez, Morocco, ahead of their opening match in the new AFCON qualifying campaign. The rewards fulfilled commitments made by President Tinubu following Nigeria’s second-place finish at the 2023 AFCON tournament hosted by Côte d’Ivoire in early 2024.

The brief ceremony was led by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, and attended by several dignitaries, including the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ningi; Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Hon. Kabiru Amadu; Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale; President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau; Senior Special Assistant to the President, Mrs. Nathan-Mash; officials of the Nigerian High Commission; and Mallam Saleh Amadu, among others.

Speaking at the event, Dikko disclosed that most members of the team were conferred with the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).

However, senior players Ahmed Musa and Victor Osimhen received the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), having previously been awarded the MON.

Team captain at the tournament, William Troost-Ekong, was honoured with the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in recognition of his outstanding performance and emergence as Player of the Tournament at AFCON 2023.

Dikko confirmed that all national honours, housing allocations in Abuja or Lagos, and land grants in Abuja approved by President Tinubu had been fully processed, with allocation letters issued in line with the President’s pledge to reward excellence and national service.

He also revealed that similar rewards approved for the Super Falcons and Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, have been processed.

According to him, title documents and national honours certificates are ready for collection, while the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation are finalising the direct payment of cash awards, valued at the equivalent of 100,000 dollars per player, into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

Troost-Ekong confirmed his MFR honour on Tuesday after receiving his official certificate, which followed the announcement made the previous night. He shared the news on his social media platforms, expressing gratitude to President Tinubu and describing the recognition as a proud moment for himself and his family.

“I am honoured and grateful to His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for conferring on me the MFR national honour,” he wrote. “It is a very proud moment for me and my family to receive this recognition.”

The former Super Eagles captain said Nigeria shaped his identity and football career, noting that wearing the green and white jersey had always been both a privilege and a responsibility.

“Nigeria gave me my identity, my purpose, and the platform to live my dream through football,” he stated.

Troost-Ekong also wished the Super Eagles success as they begin their AFCON qualifying campaign, pledging his continued support for the team.

“As our Super Eagles begin their AFCON journey today, I wish the team every success. As promised, I will be supporting them all the way,” he added. “I am, and will always be, proud to be Nigerian.”

Troost-Ekong captained Nigeria to a runner-up finish at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire before announcing his retirement from international football.

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