Nigeria Women National team and The Case of Equal Treatment

Super Falcons: The Case of Equal Payment and Better Condition of Service, What NFF President, Amaju Pinnick Have to Say

The Nigerian women national team may not have the ''liver" to sue Nigeria football federation (NFF) for gender discrimination just the way US women National team did recently. But we have heard our ladies murmuring complains on how NFF has dealt poorly with them in comparism with their men counterpart, largely playing down their achievements.

The USA women’s soccer team is stepping up its battle with the US Soccer Federation for equal pay and working conditions by filing a gender discrimination lawsuit against the governing body.

All 28 members of the current squad – including star players Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan – have filed the lawsuit at the United States District Court in Los Angeles, citing “institutionalised gender discrimination”.

Requesting back pay, damages and other relief – a bill that could reach millions of dollars – the players are also looking to represent anyone who has played for the women’s national team since February 4, 2015. The story was first reported by the New York Times . This coming just months before the Women’s World Cup this summer in France.

Members of the Nigerian women national team have in different foras spoken unofficially for comparable pay and welfare in their service to the nation. They have also said they are not given adequate training and preparations before going for major tournament. This came after the Super Falcons struggled to win the last edition of the Africa Women Cup of Nations.

They have stated that comparably the women have achieved more than the men, won African nations cup Nine times comparable to men who just won thrice. And Super Falcons has qualified and participated in every single women's world cup.

NFF have moved quickly to correct that of inadequate preparations for competitions. And for the first time Super Falcons have been preparing considerably well for 2019 Fifa Women's World Cup coming up in June. They have participated in a four nations tournament in China and another 8 nations tournament in Cyprus, they recently played two international friendly matches with an Iceland top club and with the Canadian women national team.

But for the case of equal pay and condition of service is another ball game entirely. NFF President Amaju Pinnick has come out to say the reason that may not be possible at the moment.

"Women football haven't been able to atttract sponsors like men, so we (NFF) may not be able to mobilize such large funds to institute equal payment."

"Last October, the Fifa Council approved an overall financial contribution of $50m (€44.5m) to the 24 teams playing in the upcoming world cup – more than tripling the $15m paid in the 2015 edition. This figure will consist of $30 million in prize money, the introduction of $11.5m in preparation to support the qualified teams in organising preparatory matches and $8.5m in payments to clubs to release players for the competition."

"However, the announcement was criticised by FIFPro, the global players’ union, as well as by individual players and national governing bodies, for not being sufficiently far-reaching."

"The Men’s World Cup has seen a 12 per cent rise in prize money, taking the overall pot to $400 million. This means the men and women’s events have a gender pay gap of $370m."

"Here in Nigeria, Corporate bodies do not come up to associate with the Super Falcons quest just like that of Super Eagles, because women football doesn't have that significant fan base in the country to attract the corporate brands associate sponsorship."

"But we (NFF) have convinced Nike in an all inclusive sportswear deal where Super Falcons will equally share in royalties. We have also got Aiteo to do more for women football in Nigeria. What I can say is, the future is bright for women football in Nigeria." Pinnick concluded.