Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has honoured Super Falcons coach Justin Madugu with a three-bedroom bungalow and N50 million for leading Nigeria to victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The governor presented the gifts during a ceremony at the Government House in Yola on Thursday, celebrating Madugu’s tactical brilliance in Nigeria’s dramatic 3-2 comeback win against hosts Morocco in the final.
“Today, I was proud to receive Coach Justine Madugu, a true son of Adamawa and hero of Nigeria’s WAFCON victory,” Fintiri stated on social media platform X. “His success inspires our sporting renaissance.”
The Hama Bachama, a traditional ruler in Adamawa, also conferred a chieftaincy title on Madugu during the event, urging Nigerian youths to pursue sports careers which he said offer better prospects than government jobs.
Federal lawmaker Kwamoti Laori (PDP, Adamawa) joined calls for the Nigeria Football Federation to appoint Madugu as the Falcons’ permanent coach, while appealing for improved sports infrastructure nationwide.
Madugu’s tactical adjustments proved decisive in Morocco, where Nigeria overcame a two-goal deficit to claim their record 10th continental title. The team completed the tournament unbeaten, scoring 10 goals while conceding just three.
The reception follows Monday’s presidential honours in Abuja where each Falcons player received $100,000 and technical crew members including Madugu got $50,000, apartments and national awards.
Madugu attended the Adamawa ceremony with his wife, capping a triumphant homecoming for the coach who masterminded Nigeria’s latest African football conquest.