Nigerian Women Dominate African Sports Despite Pay Gap And Mismanagement

Nigerian Women Continue To Dominate African Sports — But At A Cost

Nigeria’s women are rewriting the narrative of African sports. From the basketball court to the football field, they’ve proven their dominance time and time again — yet behind the medals and victories lies a troubling story of pay inequality, mismanagement, and repression.

The Super Falcons recently clinched their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, while the D’Tigress made history by winning their fifth consecutive Women’s AfroBasket championship. These achievements cement Nigeria’s reputation as Africa’s powerhouse in women’s sports.

But the glory has often come in spite of, not because of, the system supporting them.

---

Winning Big, Paid Little

While their male counterparts enjoy steady allowances and bonuses, Nigeria’s women athletes still grapple with late or unpaid match fees. For the Super Falcons, much of their income depends on per-match bonuses, which are inconsistent and often delayed.

As Solace Chukwu, senior editor at Afrik-Foot Nigeria, told AFP:

“If you speak up against what’s going on, you completely lose the possibility of getting what you’re entitled to — you could actually be blacklisted.”

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has also faced accusations of failing to pay bonuses despite the women’s team’s dominance on the continent. Officials blamed “clerical errors,” but athletes and fans saw a pattern of neglect.

---

The Price Of Speaking Out

Speaking out can come with consequences. In 2019, Super Falcons captain Desire Oparanozie led a protest over unpaid wages during the Women’s World Cup. The aftermath? She was stripped of her captaincy and excluded from future national team call-ups.

Players’ union official Harrison Jalla noted that athletes who protest “risk not being invited or sidelined outrightly.”

Even former men’s coach Sunday Oliseh, who was once dismissed amid his own pay dispute, described the punishment of outspoken players as “criminal retaliation.”

Despite denials from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the culture of silence persists — one that forces many athletes to choose between their career and their conscience.

---

Hope Amid Hardship

Yet, even amid these systemic challenges, Nigeria’s women athletes continue to inspire.

Basketball star Promise Amukamara, fresh off her AfroBasket win, remains optimistic:

“More facilities should be built around Nigeria. I feel like, maybe one year, we should host the AfroBasket.”

And younger players are already following in their footsteps.
Justina Oche, a 16-year-old footballer in Abuja, says she’s inspired by Asisat Oshoala, six-time African Footballer of the Year:

“They say what a man can do, a woman can do even better. The Super Falcons have again proved this.”

Even Aisha Falode, an NFF official, admits the need for reform:

“The government must invest in the facilities, leagues, and players because the women’s game can no longer be taken lightly.”

---

Sports Market International Takeaway

The dominance of Nigerian women in sports is no coincidence — it’s the product of resilience, raw talent, and an unbreakable spirit.

But their future depends on more than talent. To sustain their success, Nigeria must bridge the gender pay gap, invest in infrastructure, and protect athletes who speak truth to power.

Until then, every trophy the Super Falcons or D’Tigress lift will serve as both a triumph and a silent protest.