Ajibade Laments Unpaid Bonuses, Recounts Struggles in Nigerian Women’s Football

Super Falcons captain and forward, Rasheedat Ajibade, has voiced her disappointment over the continued delay in the payment of promised allowances and bonuses to the team. Speaking on an upcoming episode of With Chude, hosted by media personality Chude Jideonwo, Ajibade revealed that despite repeated assurances, the players are yet to receive the $100,000 reward and other entitlements pledged by the government.

“We haven’t received anything. All the promises you’ve heard—they haven’t fulfilled them,” she said, adding that they were told the funds had already been approved but no payments had been made. “People keep pleading, but nothing has come through. Even our match bonuses are still pending,” she added.

Ajibade called on the authorities to honor their commitments, emphasizing the emotional and psychological toll the delay has had on the players. President Bola Tinubu had in July 2025 promised $100,000 to each player following the Super Falcons’ record 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title win in Morocco, but the funds are yet to be disbursed.

She also reflected on the early challenges in her football journey, revealing that she played for 10 years in the Nigeria Women’s Football League with FC Robo Queens without earning a salary. Growing up in a crowded compound in Mushin, Lagos, she said she had to clean toilets and bathrooms to earn money. Ajibade later moved to Norway to join Avaldsnes IL at age 17 and currently plays for Atletico Madrid Feminino.