Renowned public affairs analyst Mahdi Shehu has criticized the Tinubu-led federal government for sending the wrong message to Nigerians by awarding large cash prizes to footballers while neglecting students, workers, and soldiers who also dedicate themselves to serving the country.
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Mahdi Shehu made these remarks in an interview on Tuesday. Mahdi Shehu specifically condemned the government’s generous cash rewards to the Super Falcons following their victory at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, arguing that such actions undermine the morale of workers and students.
“You pay a footballer ₦150 million in less than two months, but students are told to take loans to go to school. That same footballer may not even have completed their education,” he said.
He likened the sports industry to a lottery where a few benefit immensely while others are left behind.
“I read a post by a soldier in Baga saying, ‘My son will play football’ — just because of how athletes are treated. Yet, this same soldier has dedicated his life to serving his country without ever receiving such recognition,” Mahdi Shehu lamented.
Mahdi concluded by calling on the federal government to turn its attention to rewarding academic excellence, specifically referencing the young girl from Yobe State who recently won first place in an international English competition in the UK.
“We are waiting to see what the government will do for that girl. If nothing is done, then it confirms that the Tinubu administration is waging a war against education. There’s no excuse.”
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