The battle for the soul of Nigerian women’s football has reached the highest levels of government. The Reform Our Football Coalition has officially petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, over what they describe as the “continued and systematic” poor treatment of the Super Falcons.
Coming just as the team intensifies preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the coalition’s move highlights a growing frustration with the administration of women’s sports in Nigeria.
The Core Allegations: “Silently Crying for Help”
In separate letters dated late April 2026 and made public during a press briefing in Abuja on May 11, the coalition’s General Secretary, Kemi Yesufu, laid out a series of grievances:
- Welfare Failures: Allegations of inadequate camp conditions and unpaid allowances that have persisted despite the team’s global success.
- Poor Planning: Concerns that the preparation for the upcoming WAFCON (which serves as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil) is being undermined by administrative shortcomings and a lack of quality international friendlies.
- Victimization: The coalition stated that players often remain silent out of fear of being excluded from the national team, describing the athletes as “silently crying for help.”
Why the First Lady?
The inclusion of the First Lady in the petition is a strategic move. Senator Oluremi Tinubu has been a vocal advocate for the Super Falcons, famously hosting them at the State House after their 2023 World Cup outing. The coalition is now calling on her to use her influence to ensure that “institutional support” matches the “motherly hosting” the team receives.
